90 Degrees
By Fancyspinner
For warnings and disclaimers see part 1.
Interludes will be used to see perspectives from other characters.
Interlude 1: Sarutobi Heruzin
The meal was splendid. It always was. Asuma sat quietly and just looked at him. Where had his relationship gone wrong with his son? Part of it was, he knew, Minato. Once he had decided to nominate Minato for Hokage he had started spending a great deal of time with him and Asuma had been pushed off onto others. Sometimes it had been Jiraiya, other times Tsunade and before things had become too uncomfortable between he and his team mates he would ask them to watch the young child.
"Father, you don't have to do this."
"Do what?"
"Spend time with me."
"You're my son, Asuma. I want to spend time with you. I know we don't always agree and that you'd rather be away from the village most of the time and that I selfishly keep you here but I'll be gone soon enough and then you'll have the rest of your life to do … whatever."
"Hokage-Sama." An Anbu seemed to shimmer into view. "I am sorry to interrupt this night but the Jinchuriki and another child have been removed from the orphanage."
"What was the health of the Jinchuriki at the time?"
"Unknown, Sandaime-sama."
"Ask Ibiki to meet me in my office."
"Ibiki?"
"That was my order, correct?"
"Right away." Was the monotone reply
"Father, something's not right with that Anbu."
He smiled at his son.
"I'm glad you see it too. Would you be willing to investigate what might be the problem? You'd have full authority to request assistance, resources and anything else that might be needed."
"Black ops?"
"Not yet. Keep it as quiet as you can though."
Asuma smiled brightly at his father and quickly fixed him a large plate.
"I know you'll be in your office all night at the least so take this with you."
Heruzin felt a wave of sudden affection for his child and gave him a brief hug.
"Be careful, son."
Then he walked out.
Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Ibiki was waiting outside his office.
"Don't stand on ceremony, Ibiki!"
Ibiki sat quietly. Sarutobi looked at him for a long moment.
"The Jinchuriki has been taken from the Orphanage." He spoke the words calmly as though giving any other report.
"I was told by Anko." Was Ibiki's quiet reply.
"Oh?"
"Apparently someone dressed in Anbu garb spirited him away from a group of attackers. Another child was also somehow caught up in the fray and this child has also been removed."
"I see. Where are the children now?"
"Apparently with Maito Gai."
"Gai?" Sarutobi allowed a note of incredulity to enter his voice. The flash of annoyance Ibiki couldn't quite hide was well worth the effort.
"Yes, Gai!"
"I'm certain Gai will utilize his resources to attend to the children but will you take some items to him? I am certain that his work with the orphans has not prepared him to deal with 2 injured children."
"I Will."
"I am going to ask you to take on a C-rank mission. You will have the head of the yomenaka clan as Back up. I am aware that there is a minority group in the ranks of our shinobi who feel that the treatment of our Jinchuriki is reprehensible. I happen to agree. I would like Enoichi and yourself to assess Naruto's mental well being and then make recommendations as to an appropriate course of action."
He then pricked his finger and let a couple of drops fall onto one of his drawers." It opened and inside were several Sealing scrolls.
"I update these every2-3 months. The first one has food, clothing and medical supplies. The second has more food, clothing and games."
"Games?"
"Do you think anyone has ever played with him?"
"No. There is a single child that tries to protect him but I don't think they have actually socialized."
Oh Ibiki. Make sure Gai is going to be able to handle the fallout from having the Jinchuriki in his home."
"Yes Sarutobi-sama."
"I'll wait for your return."
Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Sarutobi smiled. It was about time that things began looking up. He could and would classify this as a shinobi matter. He rarely used his authority in this way but he would now.
He waited for Ibiki by doing paper work. Paperwork was true evil and if he could he would assign his Anbu to slay it. He alternated between paperwork and the delicious food Asuma had prepared for him. Ibiki returned much faster than he had expected.
He quickly examined Ibiki and blinked at the livid bruising along his neck.
"What happened?"
"I was forcefully informed that I was to treat the Jinchuriki with respect."
"Hmm!"
"Then I was asked to leave. Kakashi and Kurenai were present. I took the liberty of informing them that Asuma was occupied elsewhere."
"Well done."
"I'm certain I'll be dealing with Gai tomorrow – or later today I should say. Drink some hot tea for your throat. It will help."
"Yes Sandaime."
"Take tomorrow off."
"I will consider doing so."
"Dismissed."
Sarutobi sat for a long time after Ibiki left. Then he started drafting orders. Danzo and some of the others on the council would do whatever they could to block the Jinchuriki from receiving a proper upbringing. He couldn't allow that to happen not when this incredible chance had just appeared.
Gai's affectionate nature was exactly what the child needed. If Gai were willing to take on 2 children then Naruto would even have a sibling. The Sandaime hokage gleefully went about writing orders and requests that his counsel would not be able to block.
TBC: in where many meetings are held.