Disclaimer : I do not own Naruto. I do not own this story idea either. This a challenge fic issued by Dracohalo117
Chapter 2 - Meeting the Fox and Council Trouble
6:45 a.m. – Saturday October 17
Naruto snapping out of his fear sensing he was safe as long as he never passed beyond the gate stared at the fox for a minute. "What is there to discuss Kyūbi?" Naruto asked calmly as he stood up. "How about letting me out of here?" The Kyūbi started. "No" Naruto said. Naruto continued to stare at the fox sensing a shrug at the expected answer. "How about giving me access to all your senses?" The King of Bijuu's asked next. "No" Naruto said not elaborating either. "Then the least you can do is alter your mind scape into something other than a fucking sewer" Kyūbi demands frustrated. Naruto thinks about it for a minute pacing back and forth across the gates entrance to piss the fox off before saying, "No".
The Kyūbi couldn't take it any more. "You insignificant little worm! How dare you deny a request of The Kyūbi no Yōko. I've been walking these lands since before your insignificant little village was a twinkle in your founder's eye. You will do what I tell you to or …" Kyūbisays until Naruto interrupts. "I think that is quite enough Kyūbi. I realized two things since I first showed up here. The first thing is this is my mind we are in. So that means everything outside of your cage is mine and you can't affect that unless the seal weakens due to me doing something retarded like tearing a portion of it off or making some kind of back water deal with you that you take advantage of" Naruto says without emotion. Kyūbi was cursing up a storm inside it's head. 'Damn! That little monkey is much smarter than I thought. Here I was sure it would be easy to scare him then make some simple deal that looks better for him than for me … that still might work except I'll have to offer him something big' The Kyūbi thought.
"The second thing I noticed is that I control everything here including your cell, so if I want to I could make it so you can't even see this dingy sewer you hate so much let alone the outside world" Naruto threatens. "Even if that's true you need me" Kyūbi says. " … Need you?" "You haven't forgotten have you human?" Kyūbi says. Naruto knows where the demon is going so he decides to end the game. "No Kyūbi, I have not forgotten. I know that now that I am walking away from the path the Hokage and others have manipulated me towards that I will be left completely on my own despite the laws saying that as a 12 year old civilian I am entitled to such protections for at least four more years. I also know the hunts and beatings will start again if not worse" Naruto says as the Kyūbi grins.
"You will also be stopped from leaving your hell as despite your refusal this pathetic village won't let their weapon go so easily. Also, others will seek my power and either want to use them through you or take them from you. You have no hope of survival unless you listen to me. I am willing to train you not only in the jinchūriki arts as I did my former vessel but also give you powers and abilities like the Sharingan to make you a god among men" Kyūbi says sure the answer would be yes. Naruto stared into the imposing eyes of the Kyūbi and spoke without hesitation.
"No Kyūbi, I do not accept your deal. I have also severed the communication link between us so this will be our first and only talk" Naruto was interrupted as the Kyūbi roared and smashed into the gate repeatedly trying to claw at Naruto who simply stood and watched the great beast harm itself in a vain attempt to hurt him. When the Kyūbi calmed down Naruto continued. "You are right about the dangers so I will train on my own and find my own way to get stronger and survive. I am not cruel though and do not hate you as what has happened to me cannot be blamed on a mere tool of destruction. So I will allow you to change your cage only on the inside of it with the given space as long as it doesn't affect the seal. Good bye Kyūbi" Naruto says as he starts to fade away, but not before Kyūbi gets in one last warning or threat. "Mark my words human you will need my power and when that day comes this pathetic seal will not stop me" Kyūbi says.
6:50 a.m. – Saturday, October 17
Naruto woke up after completing the changes to his mind. 'Damn, only five minutes that felt like I was there for at least an hour. Maybe now I can finally get some sleep' Naruto thought. Unfortunately that wasn't in the cards for our young hero. *Knock, Knock, Knock* Naruto heard on his apartment door. Slowly gathering himself Naruto got up and went to the door grumbling about not getting a moments peace. Opening it he found two blank masked Anbu standing outside his door. "Uzumaki Naruto" The one on the left asked and Naruto nodded. "Your presence is requested in council chambers" The one on the right finished. Naruto sighed, 'Great just what I need, another kill the demon shout fest with those arrogant assholes' Naruto thought.
"Fine, give me a minute" Naruto said closing the door. Naruto knew those were some of Danzo's men as he had more run-in's with Danzo and his Ne soldiers then he'd care to remember. The bastard was always trying to make him join his group of robots and promised him all kinds of things when he wasn't threatening him. Naruto knew on an instinctual level this wasn't a guy to mess around with and that he was bad news despite his claims of having Konoha's best interest. So Naruto created a few clones to go out the window and inform the old man of the impromptu council meeting. Looking down Naruto realized he was wearing the same clothes he wore yesterday as he still had his shoes on. Deciding to get this over with Naruto didn't bother with a shower or change of clothes and walked back out of his apartment and closed the door, but before he could even lock it the two ANBU grabbed him and shunshined to the council chamber doors.
Naruto was not a happy camper. He had been standing outside the council chambers for half an hour as he listened to them shout out different ways to kill him. What confused Naruto though was that there was no mention about last night … just continued shouts about wanting him dead for no other reason than to kill him. Honestly it was way too early for this bullshit and Naruto was thinking of busting down the door and ending this crap when the Hokage and the shinobi half of the council walked past him with only the old man even sparing him a glance. A few minutes later Naruto was called to enter as the doors opened and he slowly walked in feeling them close behind him as he fully entered the chamber. Naruto walked through the aisle and past the many glaring eyes with faces of contempt, hate, and greed. Naruto took his place where he normally stood in sessions such as these and the Hokage called everyone to order.
It was then one of the Council Elders decided to stand and get the hate fest rolling. "Uzumaki Naruto, you are here by charged with treason for stealing The Scroll of Sealing other wise known as the Forbidden Scroll last night. How do you plead?" A shriveled old woman Naruto recognized as Utatane Koharu said. "I plead … not guilty" Naruto says. At that the Hokage and several clan heads breathed a sigh of relief as they had feared Naruto was suicidal after the clan heads heard from both the Hokage and Iruka about last nights events in a secret emergency meeting that was being held when the clone of Naruto's barged in informing them of the current meeting.
"What do you mean not guilty demon? Are you saying you didn't steal the Forbidden Scroll?" A fat civilian councilor shouted. However, no response was received as Naruto went around the table and sat in a chair in front of the Hokage. "Answer me Demon!" The fat man screamed. Naruto just sat in his chair looking at his nails. 'I really should clean these' He thought ignoring the councilor. The Hokage decided to stop this little show before anything happened. "Naruto … could you please stand up and tell us why you claim innocence when you admit you stole the scroll?" The Hokage asked. "Hokage-samma the reason is simple. While I did steal the scroll, I did so at the request and prodding of a teacher, an authority figure, a superior whose word I thought was true and taught to obey. I will agree to a small form of punishment if the council thinks I deserve one, but treason is not a charge I can accept even if there was no punishment attached" Naruto says after standing as asked.
The civilian side of the council did not like this answer, while the shinobi side could see why the Hokage thought so highly of the boy. "Oh and tell me …boy. Why wouldn't you take such a deal?" The old one armed, one eyed cripple asked him. "Because, it would mean I have no honor or loyalty and while I could care less about honor as honor is something only those of a higher station can afford. I do care about my loyalty being questioned as despite the beatings, stabbings, poisonings, ostracization, the inability to buy simple things like fresh bread or decent clothes. I have always tried my best to help the people of this village even when my help was met with scorn or harm. What I did was dumb, but it wasn't disloyal and traitor should not be another thing added to the list of names you people have for me" Naruto says then takes a deep calming breath.
Many on the shinobi council lost their focus as the speech went on some due to their shame, others in gleeful remembrance of said evil deeds, the rest thinking of their own kids being in a similar situation save for Hiashi who was indifferent to the whole thing. The civilian side was mainly in gleeful remembrance while thinking of other nasty things they could do to ruin the boys life. Deciding to end this the Hokage speaks up, "I believe young Naruto has explained himself enough. We have heard all we need Naruto thank you. Please come by my office Monday morning we have things to discuss" The old Hokage says. Naruto nods, but like everything else these past couple of days lady luck seemed to have turned her back on him.
"Wait just a minute de- … boy. I heard a rumor that you declined becoming a shinobi last night. Is that correct?" The cripple known as Danzo asks. Immediately Sarutobi, Naruto, and the ninja portion of the council narrowed their eyes at the elder. "Exactly where would you have heard that councilor-san? I haven't seen anyone since last night until those two ANBU with the blank masks came to my door this morning" Naruto says eyes firmly on Danzo. The civilian council was having different thoughts as their eyes all trained on Naruto. 'The Demon brat quit?' 'Is this a trick?' 'We don't have to stop hurting him now?' 'It's been awhile since the last fox hunt' 'I need to get word to _ so we can organize another hunt immediately so the little demon doesn't forget his place' were some of the many thoughts and questions going around the civilian side of the council chambers.
Danzo was slightly sweating now. He never made mistakes … well okay he rarely made mistakes, but never of a political nature and certainly not to the extent he just did. Still, this was a war veteran and he'd been involved in solving or getting out of many political quagmires during his time in office. Danzo knew now was the time to shut up and sit pretty lest something worse happen. "Naruto what did these ANBU look like exactly?" Sarutobi asked. "Umm … like those guys on the ceiling" Naruto says pointing up in the corners. The Hokage quickly took out a kunai and threw it into the corner of the ceiling Naruto was pointing at. The kunai was speeding into the corner nearly lodged in the ceiling, which had many calling Naruto a liar and a demon, when the kunai was suddenly deflected and their was a shimmering effect before two men with blank masks on their faces dropped down in front of Danzo.
Now Danzo was screwed and he knew it. "Ne attack" Danzo ordered. The two shinobi attacked quickly and without question as the ninja council defended their Hokage and counter attacked quickly overwhelming the two Ne soldiers killing them, but not before they served their purpose as Danzo got away with two other Ne following. "Damn that old cripple got away!" Tsume shouted being the first to notice his absence. "Everyone calm down" Sarutobi says trying to regain order. Sarutobi snapped his fingers and four ANBU were immediately in front of him. "Tiger I want you Cat and Monkey to immediately track down Danzo, but do not engage just follow him to wherever they go and alert us when they stop some where" The Hokage orders and the named three instantly shunshined after the elder.
"Boar go to ANBU HQ and alert every available ANBU, Jonin, and Chunin to what is going on. I want a sweep of the village. You are to check every building, store, house even the clan homes are not off limits. Anyone who finds Danzo, the Root, hideouts or storehouses immediately send up a flare signaling your position. If you find Danzo or his Root do not attack alone wait for backup unless they are getting away and then only confront them to detain them. If you can not then make sure they don't leave by any means necessary even death and do not underestimate Danzo or his Root they are an unknown and dangerous entity" The Hokage orders. Boar nods and then shunshines away to complete his mission.
"Okay I'd like all clan heads to get their clans together and in on the search as soon as possible. If no other business is necessary then …" The Hokage got no further before one of the more ignorant civilian councilors decided to make her shrill voice heard. "Hokage-samma excuse me I know this may not be the right time, but did Danzo-samma speak the truth when he said the dem … ughh boy has decided to quit being a shinobi?" Haruno Himei asked. The Hokage sighed, but looked around the room to see the rest of the civilians looking intently at him as were the clan heads. However, before he could answer Naruto did it for him. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto not monster, demon, demon brat, demon boy etc. and I am the jinchūrikito the Kyūbi no Yōko" Naruto was interrupted by a round of gasps. "Y-You know?" A civilian asked. "I do and my decision on my status is final in my opinion as I no longer have the desire to help or protect people who only wish to do me harm" Naruto says.
"Naruto! That's enough!" The Hokage shouted surprising everyone even Naruto who hadn't ever heard the old man raise his voice above normal even to quiet the noisy civilian councilors. Sarutobi took this moment while everyone was shocked into silence to end things. "Naruto you will come to my office Monday where we will discuss this and other things further, but until then you will be counted as a graduate academy student and genin shinobi with all that applies to that. I have held back your classes team drawings and confirmations as such so young man I expect you to think hard between now and then about your life and if you really could see yourself without one of these" The Hokage says and hands Naruto a new headband with orange cloth. Naruto reluctantly took the protector and headed for the exit not bothering to look at anyone.
I want to thank everyone for reading this new story. The challenge is 'I Quit' and if you want more details please check out Dracohalo117's profile for this and other challenges. Also, check out Challenger's profile who has all kinds of interesting challenges up on his profile if your interested.
I want to take this time to explain a few things. Naruto will quit the ninja life and I have decided some of his path. This won't be a Naruto turns Ronin story or anything like that even though I may still have him leave the Leaf later in the story. However, he will still train the only way he knows how ... like a ninja and get in trouble from time to time as only Naruto can. Still, this is a civilian Naruto story so it will revolve around mostly civilian type drama and most of his classmates will show up sparingly at best. Unfortunately I couldn't add any special abilities for my favorite blond, expect his sensor ability which I tried to show when he pointed out the Ne hiding in the council chambers.
Anyway that's all the explanation I have for now, until next time dear readers and again thanks for taking the time to read this story!