TWO WEEKS LATER

Neji watched the tension in the Summit. Nia was strangely absent, despite the fact she had called the meeting.

"This is an insult to the other nations," A finally snapped. "This is ridiculous. Give up your Rinnegan wielders."

"I would not suggest that if I were you," Nia said, sweeping into the room and standing in between the two chairs set aside for the Queen and the Kage. Nia had filled the Kage seat before, but here she stood as someone came out from the shadows, heavily veiled but definitely masculine. Nia inclined her head. "Uzukage-sama."

The man coughed. "Hm."

Nia nodded. "I see." She turned to the rest of the council. "I apologize for the delay; we had to get ready."

"If there's a Kage, isn't there an elected queen?" Kakashi asked curiously.

Gaara tensed, looking to the door as it opened.

"No, not elected," Nia said, amusement in her tone. "Your Majesty.

Blonde and red hair tied in a high ponytail met Neji's eyes. His eyes widened - it couldn't be.

A few strands of hair framed a pale face; a fan was over most of it.

But Neji met aqua eyes that were full of uncertainty and fear. He offered her a small smile.

Relief flashed in her non-Edo Tensei eyes.

"I do not think it is proper for you to decide what happens to the Rinnegan wielders. Half of us are Uzumaki and remain with the Uzumaki; the other half is a less-crazy Uchiha and an Uchiha who is my first life's mother reincarnated." She flicked her fan shut. Neji realized she hadn't aged - she was still sixteen years old. "Most of what you heard was lies. Fantastical lies, at that."

Their faces were stunned. Even Mifune looked shocked.

"Mostly perpetrated by Kirasaki Shiro of Otogakure no Sato." She sat down in her chair, her Kage taking off his scarf and giving a big smile. Natashi smirked ad waved cheekily. "And in answer to my 'living status', I'm alive, I do not know how. Do not ask me about that and I will be happy." She paused. "I believe that covers the basics."

"Yes," Nia nodded. "The contract between you and Gaara-san was null and void during your death; however... As I have met Gaara-san, you two are apparently mated?"

"It is between Gaara and I," Naruto said quickly, going a little red. "Anyway, Uzushio will protect the Rinnegan users that belong to her, and the Uchiha have long since stopped being crazy and evil. Please, stop the coming war, right here. Right now."

"You have much to answer for," A said, seeming to have recovered. "You revived shinobi who had been dead for years. Why?"

Naruto looked at him with a patient smile on her face.

"Why not?" she asked, confusing him. He blinked at her.

"Sorry?" he said.

"Why not?" she repeated, smirking. "You had your fair share of dead shinobi returning. Not my fault if Konoha had a little more shinobi to revive, is it?" She looked around the table. "Honestly, I did do my best. I mean, I only tried to revive the ones who I knew had good intentions."

Her eyes darted up to meet his for a brief minute.

"Of course, my death ended up with me doing the bidding of an evil shinobi. I took care of that as well." She waved her hand, sitting back in her chair and crossing her legs.

Hatori came in with a pale, scratched woman, and none other than Yakushi Kabuto.

"Kirasaki Shiro and Yakushi Kabuto both played a role; I have punished them accordingly. Yakushi and Kirasaki can no longer use their chakra or speak; they will be thrown in Uzumaki dungeons and sealed there with food and water, of course. They will not see the light of day again. As for the Edo Tensei technique, I destroyed every last copy of the jutsu using a relatively new seal. Including the one in our - er. Including the one in Konoha." She paused. "I believe that covers it, correct?"

Nia coughed. "I believe so. Hatori, if you would be so kind?"

Hatori punched Kabuto and Shiro. They vanished.

"Uzumaki jutsu," Naruto said flatly at their looks. "I look forward to angry letters and demands or whatever, but I will be leaving in the morning."

"I'm hungry." Natashi stood up, ignoring them all. "So, cheese pizza?"

"If you want it," Naruto replied, standing up again. "I'm in more of a ramen mood."

The Uzumaki delegation walked out.

"Hmm," Kakashi finally said. "I was expecting her announcement like a week ago." He pulled out his newest porn book, Icha Icha Yaoi: Limited Threesome Edition!, completely ignoring the other Kages as they turned to look at him. "I mean, the Uchiha sun ceremony was two weeks ago."

"Can I go?" Neji asked his Kage. "I'd like to ask her something." He noticed that Gaara had left, and assumed that possibly Natashi was going back to Suna with him.