Two months since the formation of Squad 5. Hokage Tower.
Team 5 in full was walking towards the missions' room, in order to report on their 106th completed D-rank mission. Such high number of completed D-rank missions was one of the highest among the Genin Teams and Squads already, and considering that it was all achieved in just little more than 2 months was one feat that no Team could trump. This was achieved in large part due to Squad taking up to 3 missions per day, at times even up to 5, which is on two, and on four respectively, missions more than most Genin teams take.
Usually, it is expected that a Genin team will be taking one or two missions, but hardly three at the same time, but Squad 5 have managed to make it, and they didn't complain about it. In fact, they were only glad to take up this much job as not only were they able to quickly acquire the needed 30 completed D-ranks for to be allowed to do C-ranks, but it also provided the Genins with a good amount of profits. While D-ranks didn't pay all that well, especially when compared to higher ranks, when a team makes 12 D-ranks, or even 18, in just 4 days, they can get the salary of one or two C-ranks, even when they need to split it up among themselves.
Naruto, who walking on the left of the group, could already say that he had enough of money to rent a nice small flat in the Village, not that he was actually planning on doing that. It has been over 2 months now since he had moved out of his parent's house and began to live with Shingen's family, who had welcomed him with open arms. His parents did well on their promises of disowning him, and on the next day already, Naruto was official evicted from both Uzumaki and Namikaze Clans, which didn't surprise him. But what did actually surprise him, was the fact that Shingen had managed to remove the parenting rights on Naruto from his former parents and transfer them to him and Aika, effectively making Hiryu's and Akemi's parents his guardians.
It was shock for Naruto, who didn't expect such thing to ever happen, but it did, and now he was living with a family, that he has now come to not only appreciate for their kindness, but also care deeply. It was a little difficult at first, adjusting his whole life to the new conditions, but Naruto quickly found himself enjoying this new life. He had grown accustomed to family meals, warm and caring atmosphere in the family, casual talk and even enjoyed it all, as Naruto felt himself being a part of a true family, with Shingen and Aika acting as his parents, while Hiryu and Akemi were akin to his siblings.
His bond with all of them was a very strong one, with Shingen having taken Naruto as his full apprentice, teaching him in arts of Uzumaki combat, Sealing, Ninjutsu, Taijutsu and everything that he could grasp. The training was hard, brutal even at times, but the results it yielded were all worth it, as Naruto now could use his claymore with ease and speed, along with now able to use Level 6 Sealing Arts, alongside Hiryu and Akemi.
His dexterity and speed have also improved to the point that when he was not with his claymore, Naruto could keep up with Hiryu, if only for a short amount of time. His strength and endurance had reached the point when Naruto was able to take down with the pure brute force Shingen's Shadow Clone with a Jonin-level charge. And along with physical prowess, Shingen had been teaching Naruto a great deal in Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and supplemented it all with knowledge on various related subjects, ensuring that Naruto's mind was as sharp as his blade.
Naruto's chakra reserves and control had also were being at their highest point now, being much higher that of Jonin levels, and reaching the level of Aika, who herself was known as one of few Shinobi to possess Kage-level Charka Reserves and Control. She too had taken an interest in training Naruto, alongside with Akemi and Uzumaki siblings. Her lessons were mostly concentrated around Iryo-Ninjutsu, Medicine, First Aid and other supplemented skills for a Shinobi. While Naruto and others were never going to in the same league as Aika and, eventually, Akemi, they now had the necessary skills to apply First Aid or more rudimentary Iryo Jutsu to themselves and to others.
They've had more than enough time to train with both Shingen and Aika, thanks to Anko allowing them to do so on their training days. While she personally, unlike Kakashi, had been taking her responsibilities very seriously as their trainer, teaching whatever she could and keeping them on their toes, she knew that when it came to training, Shingen and his wife were far better in that department. Under their careful watch Team 5 was already shaping up to be one very effective and dangerous fighting force, with every member of it improving a great deal individually, and in work with everyone.
Shingen had worked with each of them apart in the beginning, before making them apply the learned into their teamwork during the combat simulations on training fields. Each of these simulations were with different conditions, targets and more, meant to prepare the team to act in every sort of situation and environment, ranging from recon missions to assassinations of high ranking nobles or Shinobi. These drills had indeed helped Squad 5 greatly improve, working out the kinks out of their teamwork, as well as sharpening their senses. An added bonus was that everyone in the unit now was a good and close friend to each other, with Naruto included, as he had come to regard Team 5 as his closest friends and felt comfortable and easy among them, breaking more and more out of his shell.
While the Team 5 perfected their skills and earned more money under the lazy gaze of Kakashi, things in the village have changed a bit. The first change happened when Aika Azuma was fired by Tsunade, on the orders from Minato, from her job as head doctor. The "official" reason for this action was the decision to balance out the budge by cutting down the personnel of the hospital. Despite a great deal of respect, skill, and experience, Aika was ousted out of her position, with Tsunade not-so-subtly stating that she could have her job back if she apologized to her and Kushina for an earlier accident.
Though Shingen had tried to correct this injustice through political means, Aika decided not to do so, as while she was a doctor, she also had pride, and she was not one to let such an insult to her slide. Instead of trying to winback her position, Aika decided to start her own private practice, as she was still one of the best doctors in the Elemental Nations. Needless to say, she had absolutely no problem with getting the clientele, as civilian population preferred to trust to one doctor that didn't give a damn about the politics. Ultimately, it seemed like Minato's scheming has already backfired, as the situation in the hospital was starting to deteriorate, with Tsunade's poor administrative skills. It wasn't long until they would have to reinstate Aika back.
On more positive note, the relations between Naruto and the Village have actually improved considerably ever since he had left the Hokage estate and family. There wasn't any deep love between the two, but at least now there were far fewer of those that had tried to purposefully aggravate Naruto. That was something that Naruto could consider to be a good improvement, but this wasn't the end of it. The civilian population of Konoha has started to treat him with kindness, seemingly seeing him as one of their own. While this was something new for Naruto, he welcomed the change, and it was now normal for him to hear someone say hi to him while he was on the walk.
The Shinobi population of the Village though preferred to ignore Naruto as if he didn't even exist in most of their eyes, which wasn't all that unwelcomed. He knew that his abandonment of the Namikaze and Uzumaki family names has painted him as an outcast, but Naruto was long used to this status. Of course there were those that had tried their luck at showing off at his expense or the expense of his friends, mainly Akemi, but just one look at him and his entire aggravated Squad usually was enough to send even some cocky Chunins running.
As for the Team 5 itself, they didn't have all that much of problem adjusting to each other and they were soon trusting each other, as well as considering one another close friends. It wasn't nothing strange for Naruto now to be engaged in an idle talk with Keiji or Rei sharing jokes or remarks with them on all kinds of things, or to play chess, an Uzumaki traditional game, with Hiryu, nor was it odd for him to hear his comrades' talk amongst themselves and laugh and more. Anko quickly became a close friends and a sister figure to all of them, taking the main responsibility as their trainer and leader, with all of Genin accepting as it is.
And as for Kakashi, things were just as everyone in the Squad had perceived they would go, as he didn't even take his responsibilities as a teacher seriously enough. He was always late, at least by 3 hours, never even admitting to have underestimated the Genins, nor was going to admit it. His training always revolved around pointless and absolute basic teamwork maneuvers, things that Genins have long passed, and as for the more personalized training, Kakashi simply glosses it over, believing that the teamwork was all they needed it. Overall, he was one of the worst possible choices as a teacher, not helped by him always taking credit for Genins' excellent performance, much to the chagrin of the group as a whole.
Naruto turned away from his thoughts, as he saw that the group had reached the mission's hall, with Minato sitting there and waiting for the Teams and to hand them their missions or rewards. Kakashi admitted the report and accepted the reward for completed mission, with Minato speaking up.
"As always, well done, Team 5." Minato smiled to the entire group, though focusing for a little bit on Naruto. "Your performance on your D-ranks serves as an inspiration for all other Teams and Squads. Such persistent and determined completion of these missions must be the result of your Jonins' exemplary training."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage. I'm just following your example and doing my job." Kakashi eye smiled to his former teacher, with Rei, Naruto, Anko and Keiji visibly scoffing at it. "Now, since my cute little Genins are such like ants on caffeine, I believe they can handle one more D-rank."
"Hm, if you say so, Kakashi." Minato looked at the missions' list. "Okay, we have babysitting for a Council member's daughter, helping…"
"With all due respect, Lord Hokage…" Hiryu suddenly spoke up, interrupting Minato and getting the universal attention from everyone in the room.
"Hiryu, you do know that it is a very bad manner to interrupt others while they are speaking, right?" Kakashi reminded to him. "Now, apologize to Lord Hokage and…"
"It's alright, Kakashi. Now, is there something you wanted to say, Hiryu?" Minato was genuinely curious as to what son of his rival had to say to him.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. As I believe you are aware, Squad 5, of which I am a part of, has completed three times the amount of required missions, and it has been a full 2 months since the start of our service." Hiryu reminded to Minato of those facts. "In accordance to law, a Team or Squad that has completed 30 D-ranks and has been active for a full 2 months is allowed access to C-rank missions. I believe I speak for everyone in my Squad in saying that we would like to request a C-rank mission."
"That is true, you have all five of you completed the needed parameters, but such a mission request can't be made by a Genin." Hiryu simply inhaled air in his lungs, as Minato spoke. "Your Jonin Instructor, Kakashi, will decide when it is time for you to take such missions."
"Pardon me, Lord Hokage, but I believe that our record speaks for itself, and I believe that our current main instructor isn't exactly all that on par with his duties." Naruto bluntly stated, looking Minato right in the eye, before turning to glaring Kakashi. "He has on every occasion been late to his duties, never overseen our trainings, nor did he even bother with teaching us some of the more basic techniques, like Shunshin. In his stead, Anko here has been acting as the real instructor to us, and I'm sure that she can vouch for our state of readiness."
"Naruto, those weren't exactly the kinds of word I would expect from you." Kakashi simply stated to him. "You do know that lying to your superior is capital crime, right?"
"Then why aren't you in jail?" Keiji snidely asked of him, with Rei and Hiryu chuckling to it. "All you ever do is read that cheap frog porn and lie down somewhere while we do all the hard work. And the only good thing you taught us was that sloth is a sin, with you as an example of what it leads to."
"If he's reading all of this bad literature, shouldn't he also represent lust?" Akemi innocently asked, with Rei nodding to her.
"She's right. Two out of seven already, and since you are always on that high horse of yours, pride is also up in your alley." Rei added, with Naruto chuckling to it.
"That makes it three." He states.
"Enough of you." Minato stops them, before deciding to turn to Anko, who was simply grinning on the sidelines. "Tokubetsu Jonin Mitarashi, it would seem that there is a bit of a divide in your group on topic of C-rank missions and Kakashi's competence as a Jonin. Do you have something to add to all of this?"
"Only that the Genins here are right on all accounts, sir." Anko sided with her Genins, with Kakashi giving her a look. "Ever since I've been tasked with this group as an assistant instructor, I was the one doing all the work on teaching and training the kids, as well as being the one designing their regimen of mission completion and training, all the while your "star pupil" here has been simply content with just dump all the work on me. If you ask me, Lord Hokage, then these kids are ready not just for C-ranks, but for full B-ranks, if not higher. And if you want proof, then give them the mission and see the results." Minato turned away from Anko and looked at Kakashi and the rest of the team.
"It would seem that most of your Squad isn't very fond of you, Kakashi." Minato noted out to him, before taking out a scroll with C-rank missions. "Or perhaps they are just a bit too eager for their own good and do not understand the need for patience."
"I couldn't agree with you more, Lord Hokage." Kakashi nodded to him, with the whole Squad rolling their eyes at this. "Maybe all they need as a bit more exercise in patience."
"Then perhaps we can satisfy both you and your Squad with this assignment." Minato smiled to them. "One of our outposts on the border with the Land of Rivers is scheduled to have a new personal shift there, but the supposed Chunins are currently on an emergency mission. Your Squad is to go to that outpost and man it until the replacements arrive. The mission is two weeks longs, with the outpost in two days away at a normal civilian pace. It has all the supplies needed to sustain a Squad of your size, and is on a border with a relatively peaceful and stable country, so there shouldn't be any unexpected complications. You leave in tomorrow at dawn, so pack up accordingly. Dismissed, save for Naruto." Minato suddenly stated, with Naruto even looking slightly surprised at this, while his friends turned to him with a questioning looks.
"I'll catch up with you at the shop." Naruto simply said to them, with the rest of the Squad leaving the hall, with him and Minato now being alone. "Is there something you want, Lord Hokage?"
"I was actually hoping that we could talk, Naruto. It has been over two months now, and I wanted to know how you were doing?" Minato spoke up in an uncharacteristically, at least for Naruto, fatherly tone and with a sweet smile, which nearly made the redhead vomit.
"Is there any point to ask this question, Lord Hokage? As far as I am aware, we don't share any relations. Not anymore, that is." Naruto folded his arms in front of him, getting a slightly saddened look from Minato. "I am not your son, not as of two months ago, and your parenting rights with Kushina on me were revoked, so as far as I am concerned, there is nothing, but strictly professional relations. And I don't know about you, but I rather maintain only this level of familiarity between us."
"Despite what Daimyo has decided and what Shingen had plotted, I am still your father and Kushina is you mother, and we do care about your wellbeing." Minato let out a sigh, with Naruto not buying a single word of that. "I know that Kushina and I have said some things that we shouldn't have said, and that we may've overreacted towards your decisions to leave. However, you yourself haven't made it any easier for us, with the way you acted and how your actions have embarrassed us in front of all Konoha, but, after some thought, Kushina and I have decided to forgive you for everything that has happened, and after this mission is over, we would like for you to come home and…"
"You forgive me?" Naruto asked out loud, sounding surprised, before letting a chuckle. "That's rich… Ha, this is actually really funny." Naruto laughed out loud at this, as if he heard a joke, with Minato looking confused at him.
"Naruto, I am serious. We are ready to start over, to rebuild our family, and we want you to be a part of it." Minato said seriously, with Naruto stopping to laugh and speaking seriously.
"And I don't want to have any part in that family of yours. You may forgive me for what I've done to your prestige and public look, because that's what I've only damaged, but it'll be a freezing day in Hell before I forgive you." Naruto simply stated to Minato with a serious expression, not even waiting for a response and going towards the door. "If that is all, Lord Hokage, I'll be taking my leave. My Squad has a mission outside of Village tomorrow, and I want to have a long sleep before we leave." Just as Naruto had reached the door and opened it, he saw outside going inside Kushina Uzumaki, who looked not so surprised to see Naruto.
"Naru-chan! I was hoping that I would catch you here." Kushina smiled to him as if nothing had ever even happened between them, with Naruto simply putting on a poker face. "I see that you aren't with your team, so you should be having a break by now. How about we have lunch together, at Ichiraku's Ramen, just the way you like it? It has been too long and…"
"Nope." Naruto simply said to her, moving past her, before speaking up. "Both to ramen and your little reunion plan. I don't need indigestion from ramen, and another headache from both of you, especially before the mission." Naruto simply stated to her, before taking his leave via Shunshin, while Kushina entered Minato's office and spoke up to him.
"Minato-kun, did you talk to him about taking him back to the family?" Kushina asked of him, with Minato sighing in defeat.
"Right before he left, and he isn't eager to come back, Kushina." Minato simply said to her, with Kushina shaking her head at this one. "From what my Anbu have reported to me, Naruto is very content and even appears to be happy with Shingen's family, not to mention that he hasn't gotten into any trouble with the Police or Shinobi. It's as if he has finally started acting like a son we needed and wanted, only instead of doing this for us, he's doing it for Shingen and Aika."
"Huh, those two must be spoiling him in some way, to get him to act in such way." Kushina stated somewhat arrogantly, shaking her head. "I just know that this is just some kind of scheme of Shingen's. He still hasn't forgiven either of us for and that's just his way to get his revenge on us."
"Even if it is so, there isn't anything we can do to get Naruto back, unless he himself wants back." Minato reminded to Kushina. "Daimyo's edict protects him from any interference from us, and I highly doubt that he will want to spend time with us of his own volition."
"Hm… But what about Menma and Narumi?" Kushina suddenly had an idea, with Minato noticing it. "You've told me that the Academy is undermanned and there is always a need for assistants. Put Naruto's Squad as assistants there, with Naruto being charge of physical education of Menma's and Narumi's class. That way, the three can spend time, and he'll reconnect with them, and I'll make sure that Menma and Narumi try their best with it."
"Yeah, that does sound like a good idea." Minato agreed smiling to her. "It's been a while since the Academy had the needed help, and these five will be able to fill in the ranks. I'll make it a month long C-rank, that way Naruto will have plenty of time with the twins, and once they warm up to him, then he'll be more open to coming back." Minato settled in for this idea, already drawing up plans on how to make Naruto work with the twins and for their own good.
A couple of hours later. Uzumaki-Azuma's residence.
"…And then he said that they were ready to forgive me for what I had done and welcome back into the family." Naruto told to his foster family, as they sat eating dinner together. "I am a hundred percent sure that he and Kushina had planned it all, since she was already at the door of the office when I was leaving. The way she acted like nothing ever happened, like I was still her son…" Naruto scowled at it.
"Sounds just like Kushina alright." Shingen stated, letting out an irritated sigh. "Whenever someone acted out of her design, she would become the number one… Thing that I am not going to mention with ladies here." Shingen quickly stated, as he saw an overly sweet look of his wife on him, promising all sorts of trouble for his foul mouth.
"That would be quite welcome." Aika said to him with a smile, before continuing on for her husband. "However, when she wanted to get close to someone or wanted to reconnect, she would act like nothing had ever happened and that they were always the closest friends ever, with her acting like she was a paragon of something. If something did happen, though, she would simply twist it all in her favor, especially when she was at fault. At least that was when she had tried to make friends with me."
"You never told me that you were friends with Lady Kushina, mom." Akemi said to her. "Was it when Grandmother Mito was still alive?"
"We never really were friends to begin with, sweetheart. The key word is "tried", and that didn't work out." Aika noted to her, sipping some of her tea. "But yes, it did happen when Mito-kaa-chan was still with us. It was right when the Uzumaki that Lady Hikari sent at the request of her former master. Among those Uzumaki were Shingen and two of her daughters, eldest Kushina and younger Akane, you aunt, Naruto." Naruto looked a little surprised to hear it.
"I recall Minato and Kushina mentioning her name, stating that I seem to take after her, somehow." Naruto said, before noticing out something. "If my grandmother was the leader of the Uzumaki, then Kushina really is the Head of the Uzumaki Clan, right?"
"Nope, not exactly." Shingen shook his head at this one. "Remember when I told you that the Uzumaki Clan wasn't exactly a single clan, but a conglomeration of clans, like Azai, Shimazu and Senju?"
"Yeah, I recall that." Naruto nodded to it.
"In Uzushiogakure, there weren't any so called elite clans, like here in Konoha, as everyone saw themselves as a part of a single nation, a single people, an Uzumaki people, so to speak. Each Clan that joined discarded their previous name and embraced the name of Uzumaki, while their traditions would integrate into our own society, or be discarded for the betterment of everyone." Shingen began explaining to Naruto. "We were pretty selective to whom we would allow entry into our society, but we did allow individual clans to reside on Uzu as our guests and protectorates. Some of those protectorates, like Clan Tetsumaru, would eventually become Uzumaki, while some, like Clan Namikaze of your father, would be ousted out for the better."
"The Namikaze were really once a full Clan?" Naruto was surprised to hear it. "I always thought that Minato simply brag about it around to make himself look better in everyone's eyes."
"No, he's not lying about it, though he does brag too much about." Shingen said to Naruto. "Clan Namikaze were once residents to Uzu and allies of Uzumaki, considered by our Leader and Council for integration. However, it was soon found out that Namikaze Clan had tried to steal something from the Temple of Founders, Uzumaki's most hallowed place. For that, they were ousted, and soon after, they were almost fully wiped out by their enemies. Today, the only members alive I know of are Minato and Menma. It was actually your grandmother, Lady Hikari that had exiled them out."
"I see. But what about Kushina's status?" Naruto asked again of Shingen.
"I'm getting to that. Now, unlike in all Hidden Villages and countries, Leaders of the Uzumaki and Uzushiogakure are chosen not by the people, but by our Founders, the two deities that had unified the warring clans of Uzu into one nation. They are literally the Mother and Father of Uzumaki and Uzushiogakure." Shingen said to Naruto.
"Each time our Leader, or First Prince or Princess, as we called them, died, the Founders would call into the Temple those they considered for the position of First Prince. The Founders would evaluate the candidates for the position and consult with the spirits of the previous Princes and Princesses, before making their decision. After that, a new Leader was chosen, and none would ever dare to question this decision. The chosen Leader could or could not have been from the family or a blood relative of the previous one, as Princess Hikari wasn't related in any way to Prince Makoto, her predecessor and my father. In other words, Kushina's claim on being the Head of Uzumaki Clan is as invalid as her ego is inflated. She is only recognized as one thanks to Konoha's Council indulging her and completely ignoring our traditions."
"Alright, but why did our Leaders call themselves as Princes and Princesses?" Naruto was curious of that detail. "Would the title of a King or Daimyo fit in better?"
"In normal situation, it would, but as you may've noticed, Uzumaki are kinda a whole separate kind of people from all others." Hiryu spoke up. "The titles of King and Queen were only ever used by the Founders of Uzumaki, and ever since the foundation and their ascension to godhood, they officially continue to wear those titles, while their chosen Leaders, or children, are relegated to the titles of Prince and Princesses."
"You make it sound like they are still alive, Hiryu." Naruto pointed out to him. "Buddha may've been around at some time, but he is long dead. And the Founders must've passed away and are no longer real living persons."
"Because they are alive and real." Shingen surprised Naruto. "I know that it sounds strange and even preposterous for an outside view, but to an Uzumaki, the Founders are alive. They are the living soul and beating heart of Uzumaki and Uzu, with their beings literally living in the Temple. The Uzumaki nation, as some of us had called it, was founded about 5 centuries by those two people, a young woman with long flowing golden hair and green eyes, and a young black haired man with dark eyes."
"Some knowledge of them had been lost, but what was known full well was the fact they had managed to transcend their human forms, and after their deaths, their immortal spirits became linked to Uzushiogakure and Uzumaki. They were not Shinobi, not in the natural sense, but they were the strongest persons that had existed since the times of the legendary Sage of Six Paths and his sons. According to what my father had told me, they were able to command powers beyond that of what all of us are capable of, a power older and greater than Chakra and all Ninjutsu."
"Power greater than Chakra… Like what, magic?" Naruto asked of Shingen, who simply nodded to him. "Don't tell me that you even saw them, and if they are that powerful and still exist, then why did they allow the Uzushiogakure to fall?"
"I have seen them, Naruto, and I myself was skeptical at first about them, just like you." Shingen said to him. "But as to why they had failed to protect the Uzushiogakure… On the eve of the invasion, someone, a traitor, had managed to seal the Temple of Founders through cursed and forbidden techniques that haven't been used since the Uchiha Clan tried to invade Uzu. That move had trapped the Founders in their own home, with a demon standing guard, not allowing anyone passage." Shingen said in a solemn tone, with everyone seeing his saddened face, before he turned to Naruto and spoke up again.
"The Uzumaki were always a very unique entity in this world, and there are a great many things that we were responsible for and that you need to know of Naruto. But for now, all you need to know is what I've told you now. Take time and think about it, Naruto. Now, if you don't mind, I'll head downstairs and finish up on that dress Hyuuga had asked me to adjust for her…" Shingen stood up and left the room, with Aika speaking up, deciding to change the subject.
"So your first C-rank mission will be a border guarding duty?" Aika asked of her children, with Hiryu nodding to it.
"Yup. Looks like we'll be stuck in the outpost for two weeks with Kakashi, watching the neighboring land and checking the traders coming from and in to Suna." Hiryu noted out, sipping on his soup. "I can already tell that Rei and Keiji will go berserk from it, especially if Kakashi tried to "act like a fatherly teacher to his cute little Genin" as Anko-sensei would put it. That is, unless something unexpected happens…"
"Like a sudden attack of enemy Shinobi?" Akemi asked of him, with Hiryu shrugging at it. "But Konoha isn't at war and we have the non-aggression pacts pretty much everyone, haven't we? Not to mention that Land of Rivers is situated right between Lands of Fire and Wind. It would a near suicide for any opponent Shinobi to try and operate there openly."
"I wouldn't be so sure on that, sweetie." Aika spoke up in serious tone, drawing the attention from everyone. "Suna and Konoha may be at peace and in the alliance, but this alliance isn't as strong as it used to be, and from what some of my old friends from Suna have written me, it doesn't seem to be accommodating Suna at all."
"What do you mean, Mom?" Hiryu asked of Aika.
"Over the years, Konoha has been expanding its clientele, and now, more and more of profitable contracts and jobs are pouring from Daimyo and nobles of Land of Wind." Aika told everyone, with Naruto and Hiryu exchanging looks. "Obviously, this situation has strained the relations between Suna and Konoha. There is always a specific balance always maintained between the Great Five Hidden Villages, with each of Village providing their services to their respective Lords. And now Konoha provides the services for both our Lord and one from Land of Wind."
"Suna sure wouldn't like this entire situation one bit." Naruto concluded, before adding up more. "They were always considered the weakest among the Great Five, with their numbers always lower than that of their neighbors. If they lose their main source of money and job, that'll be the end for them."
"And a possible end for the peace." Hiryu nodded to what Naruto said. "The alliance between Suna and Konoha as equal allies has been one of the main factors in maintaining the current status quo. Should Suna lose their main support at Royal Win Court to Konoha, they won't take this lightly. We could have a full on coalition against us all, just like with Uzu at the end of the Third War."
"Let's hope that Minato doesn't force Suna to this and maintains the balance." Aika said to her children and Naruto. "Now, since this is your first mission, I do want to recommend you to be prepared for the unexpected. In my and your father's experiences, first C-rank missions have a pretty decent chance of escalating into something more difficult." Aika said to them, starting to take up the dish to wash them, leaving the trio still sitting at the table.
"Think we should pack up for an extermination mission, like for our third simulation?" Naruto asked of Hiryu, who nodded to him.
"I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'll call Rei with Keiji and tell them to prep up accordingly." Hiryu stood up from the table, going for the phone.
"I hope that this will be a normal mission, not like what Mom has told just now." Akemi said truthfully, getting the attention from Naruto. "I didn't mean like I was afraid or anything. I just…"
"I know, you prefer to avoid fighting when possible, and it's not in your style to seek trouble on your head." Naruto recalled, with Akemi letting out a defeated sigh. "That's not such a bad thing. Frankly, I too hope that this mission will be a boring type, and I think that Hiryu wants the same. But, as your dad has told us many times during the drills: "hope for best, prepare for the worst."
"Yet somehow we are never ready for his worst…" Naruto and Akemi chuckled at her joke. "Don't worry, Naruto. If push comes to shove, I'll be alright. After all, I didn't train for nothing, so I'll be able to take of myself and anyone that comes after us."
"I'd much rather you leave those "anyone" to me and others, Akemi." Naruto suddenly said to her in a blunt fashion as always.
"And why would you want me to do that, exactly?" Akemi asked of him. "Is this your way of saying that I'm not up to par with everyone else?" She raised her eyebrow at this one, with Naruto sighing at this one.
"No, I didn't mean it to sound like degrade you or anything." Naruto said to her calmly. "I mean that out of our entire Squad, you are probably the only one who can really patch us up effectively. In a sense, I consider you to be are our most valuable member, since you are the one who can take care of all of us."
"Oh… I-I didn't think you thought of me like that…" Akemi blushed up at this praise from Naruto, while he stood up, before saying some more.
"And don't worry. If things do go south, I'll watch your back." Naruto nodded to her, before leaving for his room.
"Thanks…" Akemi said in a somewhat dreamy fashion, missing the fact that she and Naruto were overheard by her mother, who had a small smile on her face.
Next morning.
Squad 5 assembled near the main gates, with all of Genin deciding to follow Hiryu's suggestion to pack up for trouble. That included Akemi, although she wasn't looking for trouble on her part, but understood the need to be ready for anything. She was also reassured that if something were to happen, she would have her teammates to depend upon, especially Hiryu and Naruto, with the latter promising to watch her back. With that in her mind, she was calm and collected.
Just as the Squad had assembled, Kakashi and Anko had appeared along as well, with Keiji not missing his chance at a quick snide remark.
"Wow, that's something new. Hey Anko, are you sure you've got the right guy, 'cause I think this masked perv isn't ours." Keiji chuckled, with Rei adding up.
"Yeah, that one seems to need a cold wash only, while our works only with hot water. Plus, this one seems to be right on time, without any grannies and black cats behind his back. You've definitely brought the wrong one." The entire Squad chuckled at this one.
"Very funny, you two. I've simply decided to start my day earlier than usual, that's all." Kakashi stated to them in his usual lazy manner.
"Meaning that you were staying up late, reading the newest edition of frog's porn that came out yesterday." Naruto translated for everyone, with his squad laughing at a shocked Kakashi's face, before he regained his cool.
"And how would you know that, Naruto, unless you yourself take an interest in such stuff as well." Kakashi implied, with Naruto shaking his head. "Now, we are all Shinobi here, and there is nothing to be ashamed. If you want, I could give you a list of literature you might enjoy."
"No thanks, I'll stick to more morally acceptable literature. And as for how I know, it's hard to not know, considering that there are posters about it everywhere." Naruto pointed at one of them, glued up at the wall, with the rest of his group looking at it for confirmation.
"Well, looks like he's got you there, Kakashi." Anko chuckled at this one, before noticing that the group looked a bit lightly packed. "You sure you want to pack this lightly? The outpost may have everything needed, but still…"
"Oh, but we are quite packed up." Rei took out of one of her leg holsters one of her scrolls. "Uzumaki, remember? Never leave a home without a scroll or two with your stuff in it."
"Hm, so my cute little Genins have been learning a little bit of Fuinjutsu?" Kakashi asked of them in his own manner. "It is very admirable, to be following in the footsteps of our great Fourth Hokage. Did you know that he is considered to be one of the greatest Fuinjutsu masters of our time, as well as being the one responsible for sealing away the Kyuubi?"
"The only reason that guy is great is because of the Hiraishin which he uses all the time." Rei scoffed. "And did everyone forget that it was our mom doing all the sealing with Kyuubi, at her own life's expense?!" She nearly shouted.
"That only means that the rest are idiots for believing into a lie. We know, and that's what counts, because that doesn't make us blind." Naruto reassured Rei, with her giving him a small smile, before he turned to Kakashi and spoke up to him. "Look, you can stand here and flash us your fan-boner for Hokage all you want. We'd better get to the outpost and man it as soon as possible. Better get there early then late, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, plus we'll have more time to get accustomed to our region of surveying." Hiryu agreed.
"Whatever, let's just get moving before this fanatic started converting us into his religion." Keiji agreed, before turning to Akemi. "Ake-chan, you and your folks have been to Suna once, right? How long it'll take us to reach the border of Fire and Rivers at our normal speed or are there any short cuts?"
"Well, at a simple pace, it would take about a day and a half, if you travel light and by main road." Akemi recalled. "But we can take a short cut if we head directly in the direction of the outpost, and if we go through the forest, then we'll be there in about five hours at our speed, plus with a stop or two to take a breather. That's what Mom had told me this morning if we decided to not waste time around. Personally, I'd rather head out right now and reach it sooner than later."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Rei agreed on it, with others also agreeing, with the exception of Kakashi.
"You know, Lord Hokage did say that it would take two days for us to reach that outpost? So why not stick to a more appropriate pace instead of rushing in, take in the sense of traveling and enjoy the scenery?" Kakashi lazily suggested, with everyone giving him an irate eye.
"I think we'd rather be going now instead of taking pictures of squires and falling leafs, thank you." Hiryu responded for everyone, and without any further arguing, the group moved out at a fast pace, taking the route that Akemi had suggested to them.
Five hours and thirty minutes later. Near the border of Land of Fire and Land of Rivers.
Just as Akemi had told them, it did take Squad 5 around five hours, if not a little more because of a certain lazy Jonin, to reach their destination. Having travelled through the forest has earned them a great deal of saved up time, even with a stop for a quick break and lunch an hour ago. The team was making great time, and were about to leave the forested area for an open ridge, where they could a mill-like brick tower rising up above the horizon, with a well near it and a small barrack for about ten or so men. The place looked like it could house a couple of teams or a Squad like theirs, so the team was already looking forward to taking their post.
However, they suddenly stopped right about the exit from the forest, when Rei and Keiji had signaled the rest to stop and hide. With both of them possessing fully mature Sharingan and being the better ones in terms of recon, Hiryu had told them to take the lead and report if something were off right ahead. And now it seemed like his idea was paying off, as the group had came to a halt, hiding behind and on the trees, and observing a very interesting picture before their eyes: four of Konoha Chunins were talking about something with a full Squad of Iwa Shinobi. Hiryu looked to his right and spoke up to Keiji.
"Keiji, can you make out what they are talking about?" Hiryu asked of him, with Keiji nodding to him with his active Sharingan.
"Yeah, already have. Apparently, this little Squad of Iwa is a deep recon unit, sent to gather up information about the inner trade routes towards the capital and Konoha, along with everything in between." Keiji said from reading the lips of Shinobi, before scowling. "And the outpost champs there are offering to trade the information for money. Fucking traitors…"
"Keiji, I'm sure that you are mistaken." Kakashi lazily stated, getting an annoyed glare from him. "It's probably one of the infiltrators units sent by Hokage to scout out Iwa. The outpost's Chunins are just probably giving them directions. There's no way that these are Iwa Shinobi literally bribing our comrades, right?"
"Wrong, 'cause it seems to me like they've been having this little scheme going for a while, from what the head of the outpost is telling to their leader. And did you forget that Sharingan lets us read muscle movements? Reading lips is the same thing basically. " Rei retorted to Kakashi, her Sharingan blazing up a little. "The Iwa's are trying to bargain for lower price, but doesn't look like they'll be parting empty handed. If we are going to strike, then we better do it now, before Iwa's Shinobi leave."
"She's got a point there, Kakashi, so why-Where the heck did he go?!" Anko nearly shouted, when she noticed that Kakashi wasn't with them again. "Don't tell me he…"
"Hi there, sorry to intrude on your little talk." Kakashi said out loud, as he was approaching the group of traitors and Iwa Shinobi, all of whom already took the defensive positions. "Now, I hope you don't mind that I and my Squad had come a little early and…" The entire Squad facepalmed themselves at this idiocy.
"That idiot's gonna get us all killed." Naruto simply said, taking up his claymore. "Hiryu, what's the plan?" Hiryu quickly began to tell his plan to everyone.
"Rei and Keiji, move around the group and outflank them from behind. Target the traitors and strike after we get their attention, but leave at least one alive. We'll need at least one traitor and one Iwa Shinobi alive." Rei and Keiji nodded, disappearing from the view. "Akemi, slow or stop them, give us an advantage, and after give us long range support. Anko and I'll strike at the center and try to separate them. Naruto, do you see the big guy with the large naginata?" Hiryu pointed to Iwa's Jonin with a long and wide-bladed naginata.
"I'll take care of him." Naruto already understood what needed to be done, as he and Hiryu unsealed three kunai with tags each, charging up the tags already. "Shock and awe?"
"Shock and awe. Now!" Hiryu commanded, with him and Naruto throwing the kunai towards the group.
Hiryu had chosen the good time for the strike, as Kakashi had ran his mouth long enough and was about to face off against 11 enemy Shinobi. Fortunately for him, the six tags flown near him and activated, instantly producing a bright flash of light and deafening bang disorientating everyone that had heard it all near them.
Four out of seven Iwa Shinobi, including their leader with naginata, were able to shield their eyes and got off with only deafened hearing, while the rest weren't as lucky. Right after the flashes of light disappeared, Hiryu, Naruto and Anko went on to the offensive, with Akemi casting up the Quicksand Jutsu to trap anyone she could. She was successful in capturing seven out of eleven, with the lucky four jumping away at the feeling of ground moving near them.
Naruto moved past the disorientated Shinobi, closing in on the ones that got off easy. With his speed, he was able to quickly close the distance, already bringing around his sword and thrusting it into the first victim, who had turned his back to him. Bringing the blade out by slashing out his torso and ending the life of the first Iwa Shinobi, Naruto went on ahead, but at a more careful pace, as he was now forced to duck and evade incoming Kunai and rocks. Casting out two Fireballs, Naruto was able to lay some pressure off himself, before confronting the Jonin with the naginata, already charging towards him
Just as Naruto had went on his offensive, Hiryu closed up on the disabled Shinobi, bringing out his chokuto, and quickly slashed one of the Iwa's throats, killing him. Without losing a momentum, he moved around the falling body and toward his friend, who had managed to regain his senses quickly and brought out his own sword. He managed to parry two of Hiryu's attacks, leading them away, before trying to slash him horizontally. However, Hiryu quickly ducked downwards, before thrusting his sword in the abdomen of his enemy leading it upwards, carving up a large wound as Hiryu's sword went upwards.
Anko followed after Hiryu, sending her trusting snakes towards one of the immobilized Iwa ninjas. She moved past him as he squirmed in pain at the feeling of poisonous snakes attack him, instead deciding to focus up on one of traitors, who had released himself and got better from the shock. He sent three kunai towards Anko, which she ducked, before casting up a Fireball towards her. Anko was forced to evade to the side, before sending one of her own Fireballs, but missing as well. Fortunately for her, two kunai with strings had hit her opponent, before stunning him with electrical charges, courtesy of Hiryu's Electric Current Jutsu.
Rei and Keiji acted just then when Hiryu had disabled the Konoha's traitor, while they went to take care of the others. They had regained their senses and were trying to free themselves up, when Keiji and Rei closed on them. Bringing out both of his scythes, Keiji sent them both as boomerangs towards two Konoha's traitors, with his weapons reaching them and impaling them in the back.
Rei's opponent had the chance to free himself up, so she decided to resort to a quick Genjutsu, making him see her coming to him at the side, while in truth she was coming at him from the front. The trick worked, as the traitor tried to strike at her with a Water Jutsu, before his head came off his shoulders.
Just as Rei and Keiji entered the fray, Naruto had engaged the Jonin, parrying and evading his naginata with his claymore. Iwa's Shinobi had the reach on his side, so he was able to keep Naruto on his toes and away from himself. He has been putting Naruto on the defensives for at least two minutes now, and all this time Naruto analyzed his moves. His opponent was good with his weapon, and it was clear from the variety of his movements. However, while Naruto may not have had a Sharingan, he did have a good eye for things. And it helped, as Naruto realized that his opponent, while good with naginata, followed a specific pattern of moves, and there was a potential opening for Naruto to exploit.
Waiting for the right moment, he brought his claymore in position to parry, until he moved forward towards his enemy, while claymore made a dive down on to coming naginata, pinning the blade against the hard soil beneath. The Jonin's weapon didn't manage to handle the strain and broke in two, while Naruto had placed his weapon for a perfect cut, and sent it at the shocked Jonin, before burying his blade deep in him… until his body suddenly turned into mud, trapping Naruto's claymore in itself.
"Mud Clone Replacement." Naruto spoke out loud, before releasing his grip of his claymore and jumping in the air, just before three earth spikes pierced the air near him.
"Not too shabby for an Uzumaki brat." Spoke up the Jonin, who was behind Naruto when he struck his clone. "It has been a long time since I saw a Shinobi with a claymore, especially when I had thought we had killed the last of your Uzumaki Vanguards. Guess we didn't do a thorough enough job with you."
"And I assure you, there won't a repeat of that for you." Naruto landed on the ground near him, casting quick series of signs before taking up two kunai and speaking up. "Lightning Style: Railgun." Naruto pointed the kunai towards the Jonin, with both flying right towards him at a lightning speed.
Had it not been for Jonin's reflexes, he would've lost his head and heart right that moment. Instead, he managed to evade, but still ended up with pierced inside out shoulder, disabling his right arm. Naruto seized the moment and went into the offensive, as he closed the distance and struck at the rounded shoulder with his left fist, nearly crushing into dust remaining bone there.
Screaming out of pure pain, Jonin used up his rage to literally petrify his arm, before sending it right into Naruto's stomach, punching him right up into the air. Naruto flew away from him a few meters, before landing on the ground, coughing out blood. Naruto could've sworn that he had a rib broken or two, but he didn't let that stop him, as Naruto quickly recovered from this attack and jumped away from the following landing of his opponent, cracking the ground nearly crushing Naruto's skull. Using the moment from the quick rise on his hands, Naruto made a spinning motion, kicking Jonin in the face and his petrified arm twice each, before the redhead stood on his feet.
Jonin had recovered enough, but was seemingly unable to use any signs, as Naruto had noted it out. Instead, his opponent had resorted to using club of a hand as the main weapon, swinging it at Naruto, who evaded it without much problem, but seeking an opportunity for the strike. Then suddenly, Naruto's senses have kicked in, telling him to evade, which he did, letting a large Water Dragon crush into the Jonin. Taking a quick glance, Naruto saw that it was Akemi supporting him. Jonin was literally captured in the jaws of a dragon, before being crushed into the outpost's tower in full force. Naruto closed his distance on him, and before Jonin had the chance to react, delivered him a strong punch right into the face, knocking the Jonin out of commission.
Wiping out some blood from his mouth after the tough battle, Naruto looked at his comrades, seeing that all had done their part and that the battle was over. Had he and his comrades not been subjected by Shingen to a specially designed Genjutsu that had trained them up mentally for killing, they would all be vomiting right from all this gore. But instead of feeling bad, they all felt calm and collected, with Akemi coming to Naruto, while Hiryu and Anko were dealing with a deafen and temporarily blind Kakashi, with Rei and Keiji securing the captured traitor.
"Let me take a look at you." She said immediately, already activating an analyzing jutsu, before examining Naruto. "You have two broken and one cracked rib and some damage all over your abdomen. If you hold still…" Akemi spoke up in a full medical expert way, completely ignorant to the fact that the ground literally began to rise up behind her, taking a shape of a human.
Naruto, however, wasn't as ignorant, and even if he had some damage done to him, he was still a very much dangerous and capable fighter. Without any words, Naruto quickly performed a Kawarimi, replacing him and Akemi, with Naruto taking his friend and comrade's place… and taking a direct hit from a kunai into his chest. Fortunately for Naruto, Shingen's design had prevented penetration, and kunai stuck there. Seizing the moment, Naruto quickly grabbed on the stuck kunai in him, before immediately plunging it deep into the throat of Iwa's Shinobi, killing him.
Akemi looked shocked when she saw it, not even suspecting that there was someone ready to kill her just now. She was however glad and happy that Naruto had saved her, as well as horrified when she saw him take a hit for her. She did calm down when she saw that the kunai had struck the protected area, but her joy was quickly replaced by cold and determined rage and killing intent, when she looked behind her back and saw the last of Iwa Shinobi, fleeing for the hills. A quick series of hand signs have followed…
"Water Style: Water Spear."
And right after that, from Akemi's mouth exited a thin, long streak of water, which instantly went towards Iwa's Shinobi, and after several sharp turns, reached its target and pierced the fleeing Shinobi's skull. After that, Akemi turned to Naruto and spoke up.
"You seem to have missed these two." Akemi noted out to him with a small smile.
"Yeah, my bad." Naruto agreed with her. "Thanks, for having my back."
"You've watched my back today, like you've promised yesterday. I've figured would do the same for you… a-and everyone else, o-of course." Akemi added swiftly to what she said, blushing up beat red in record time, while Naruto simply smiled to her.
"I know you will, and thank you for it." Naruto simply said to her, while their teammates watched them.
"He does realize that he's basically flirting with your sister, doesn't he?" Keiji asked Hiryu directly, who simply shrugged this off.
"I don't think he knows it, yet, but who knows…" Hiryu simply said to him, before looking around them. "We'll need to send someone to Konoha and inform Hokage about what had happened here, ask him for immediate replacements and POW convoy."
"Yeah, they may be knocked out, but it would be idiocy to transport them through the Land of Fire like that." Rei agreed with them. "I'll go, since I'm the fastest, after you, Hiryu, so I'll be in Konoha in a couple of hours."
"Alright, go on ahead." Rei nodded to Hiryu and Keiji, before heading back to Konoha. "We'll be securing the area, and the spoils of the battle for ourselves..."
"My favorite part." Keiji chuckled at this one, as he and Hiryu went on to taking care of stuff, while Anko and Kakashi decided to compile a report of what had happened.
Next day. Hokage's tower.
Minato read the reports about the yesterday's mission of Squad 5, and he was, for the lack of better word, infuriated. Konoha's Chunins so openly collaborating with Iwa deep scouting parties, trading vital information for easy money, betraying the Will of Fire and Konoha without a second thought. And the worst part about it was the fact that Shingen had warned him about such things happening years ago. He had considered himself not a prideful and arrogant person, but at this moment, he could practically hear Shingen telling him that he was right all along. There would have to be actions taken, and Minato will ensure that this incident any similar situations were eliminated, but first…
"It would seem that you, Kakashi, have lost your form and shape a bit." Minato stated to him. "I can understand that you could mistake the Iwa's Shinobi for our Anbu Infiltration Unit, but to be blinded and deafen like that, leaving yourself so open to attack… You are very lucky that your Genins have been able to eliminate this threat quickly."
"My deepest apologies, Lord Hokage." Kakashi replied with a bow. "It would seem that my cute little Genins are catching up with my teachings faster than I anticipated. At this rate, they may be able to enter Chuunin Exams in the next year…"
"More like this year already, while you really need to step up your game, scarecrow." Anko retorted on his remark. "They've handled this situation better than any Genin team I've heard about, and those weren't any Iwa Genins. They were Chunins and a full-fledged Jonin out there, not the best of Iwa, but certainly nothing to scoff at for anybody. And the kids here have secured us two living prisoners for interrogation. I ask permission to take part in it, sir."
"Granted, and Squad 5 is now officially on leave for four days. After that, you five are to report for your next mission of C-rank, but within the Village's walls." Minato informed the Genins, who looked a little surprised at this one. "Until then, congratulations on completing your first A-rank mission. Your reward is being gathered and checked at the treasury, so it'll be delivered to you shortly. You can head right there if you like, so you are dismissed. And as for you Kakashi, you've got a month to get back in shape." Kakashi nodded to him, with the whole Squad leaving the office of Minato, with a secret guest finally revealing himself.
"A C-rank turned into an A-rank… This sure does bring back memories." Shingen spoke up, uncloaking himself, and gaining the attention of Minato. "And with Iwa involved no less, what an irony. Though if I remember correctly, our mission wasn't an outpost manning, but a recon mission in Land of Rain, the one during which you've didn't stop complaining about it being raining so much."
"It was raining a lot." Minato reminded to Shingen, who simply chuckled. "Tell me, Shingen, what are you really after, hm? Are you trying to discredit and humiliate me? Turn everyone against me?"
"Minato, would you be surprised if I were to tell you that I've stopped caring about your image a long time ago?" Shingen simply said to him. "No, what I'm after is making sure that this Village is safe, both from external and internal enemies. Konoha may not be Uzu, and have quite a lot of things I wish it didn't have, but… This is the only home I have left now, and that does motivate me to protect it. And so far, I think I've done a pretty lackluster job, to be honest with you."
"Aren't we the humility itself? Finally admitting to your own mistakes, Shingen?" Minato asked of him in a gloating manner, with him simply chuckling to it.
"Oh, but did I say a word about it being my fault?" Shingen took a seat in front of Minato, who scowled at him. "You've asked me to take the Root from Danzo, to turn his personal army for conquering Konoha into a force that would protect Konoha from all kinds of threats, threats that otherwise would not be found out, remember? Yet, when I've started to do the job you assigned to me, you've suddenly had this urge to limit all of my actions to just recon, spying and reporting, not eliminating those threats. And where did that lead us?"
"What do you want from me, Shingen? Did you just drop by to gloat at me, to boost up your ego at my expense?" Minato irritatingly asked of him.
"The former, at first, and to talk about this entire situation." Shingen's voice took a more serious tone. "We both know that assigning Anbu Black Ops for this task is a risky move, as they may not like to spy on their own comrades, and this needs to be taken care of. Each of the outposts contains not just supplies for our travelling Shinobi on mission, but maps of their area and roads, coordinates of our closest to those outposts' safe houses, supply depots and far more. And Konoha Shinobi literally sell these for little money… We may not see eye to eye with each other on nearly every occasion, Minato, but this is clear an exception. I'm only asking for a formal approval, because I've already given the needed orders to my men." Minato glared at Shingen, before telling him.
"Will your men be able to deal with this?" He asked of him, with Shingen simply nodding to him. "Alright… Then do it."
Another long over 10k chapter… But hey it's worth it. Squad 5 has had their first C/A rank mission, and we've gotten ourselves a bit of Uzumaki lore and mythology, along with solid information about it. And now we also have the first instance of Minato officially agreeing with Shingen. Now, onto some details…
Some of you were asking about the Uzumaki Clan and how is Kushina the head of it, so here is the quickest and simplest explanation: Konoha recognizes Kushina as Head of Uzumaki Clan, since her mother was the last Leader of Uzumaki. While in reality, Uzumaki were more like a nation made of many clans that got integrated into it, but since Uzumaki were a bit reclusive on their Island of Uzu, most simply stuck with referring to them as a Clan, not a nation.
Uzumaki were a nation that integrated a number of independent clans into it, adding up bloodlines to themselves. And as for their leader selection process, it is something I've came up with on my own, along with the Founders. I think some of you may recognize them by these vague descriptions I gave you, or maybe not. Now, the Founders, or Mother and Father, or Uzumaki Gods, whichever you like, are real, and Shingen wasn't lying about any of it. They'll appear sooner or later, no worries, and as for their power… Yeah, I didn't make a mistake there.
Next up, the First Prince or Princess, they are selected by the Founders to lead Uzumaki as they see best. You could say that politically, Uzushiogakure was a principality, with a selected leader. First Prince and Princess wields a full authority on all things, being only overruled by Founders themselves. So it was well within Lady Hikari's power to banish the Namikaze Clan out.
Now I don't think there's much I would like to add up this time, so review, ask questions, leave suggestions in the PM and reviews, follow and favor, I'll answer all of you.
Oh, and Lion of the West is in the works already, expect it next week.
'Till later!