The Little Sannin
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the related characters, I just am borrowing them for my own delusions.
Chapter 6
Sarutobi's palm strike connected and he wished that the day wouldn't have been like this. He made a decision and he would live with it for the rest of his life.
The Root ANBU collapsed as the 'Professor' entered the battle on the side of his students. When one got close to the children, the Third Hokage's killing intent stopped the battle cold as his kick sent the idiot out the window.
"ANBU!" he roared and a dozen ANBU appeared. "Seize all Root members, arrest councilman Danzo, along with Homura and Koharu here. I want all members of the council in chamber in half an hour, those that resist will be considered brought up on treason and executed."
Sarutobi looked at his three students, his eyes softened seeing Tsunade on her knees in front of Naruto, checking for any wounds, finding none, she pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.
"KAA-SAN! AIR!" the blond said as Anko next to him was chuckling until Orochimaru did the exact same thing.
"I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS!" Anko roared, but Sarutobi noted that she wasn't putting up a struggle.
His gaze went to Jiraiya who looked at the Tsunade and Orochimaru who nodded and he turned his attention back to the floor where Homura was under his foot.
They check the children and will do anything to protect them first and foremost.
"Now you old fossil, you threatened our children. You and the old farts like you have a grudge against a child that has never done you wrong. His father sealed the nine tail into him to save this village, but I can tell you right now Minato would regret his sacrifice seeing how you bastards act."
Both Sarutobi and the downed council members eyes widened as Jiraiya spoke openly about the nine-tall and the boy's parentage. Sarutobi looked to see the boy's reaction, but saw none.
They've told him. They told him what happened that night, who his parents were, but…
"Ero-tou-san, what did Uncle Orochi tell you about playing with stupid people?" Naruto asked from Tsunade's arms.
He calls them mom, dad and uncle. Sarutobi thought watching things unfold.
Jiraiya smiles at the boy. "Not to play around with people dumber than myself as they might get lucky."
Orochimaru snorted, "Dobe, there aren't people dumber than you."
"Up yours Orochi-teme." Jiraiya said putting more pressure on the elder's chest. "I'm trying to think of one reason not to take a Rasengan to you and put you in your place six feet under."
Sarutobi coughed. All three Sannin looked at him. "I would prefer that you don't kill them unnecessarily. I need to find out how far this power play goes."
Jiraiya snorted. "The damn council."
Tsunade stood, the blond boy in her arms. "We're leaving. Shizune?"
"I'm okay lady Tsunade, I'm sorry Danzo got away."
Tsunade waved it off. "He's a cockroach, the man can be at ground zero of the Kyuubi rampage and only get a scratch. Its not your fault."
Orochimaru looked at Sarutobi. "We shall be leaving Konoha, and from this day forth, we shall not be allied with it."
Sarutobi watched as all three Sannin removed their leaf hitai-ate and placed them on the desk. Shizune never had been a ninja of Konoha and she followed the Sannin from the office.
Sarutobi winced. He'd read the doctored reports that Danzo and his Root had made. They claimed that they'd found experiments in Orochimaru's labs under the Sannin's home.
Sarutobi had laughed and told them that the Sannin haven't been in Konoha for some time. He then had Ibiki search and mysteriously several wealthy people fled Konoha. The Yakushi clan being amongst them.
Sarutobi should never have allowed the council to gain the amount of power he had, and now if he ever wanted the Sannin to return, he would have to clean it all up. Everything over the last several years.
I hate this job. Sarutobi as he watched the legendary three walk from his office, their strange tight knit little family with them, they never looked back.
XX
Tsunade held Naruto as they passed the Market Town, never once slowing down. She was pissed beyond reason that the old bastards would try that. "Kaa-san?" Naruto said softly drawing her gaze enough to know that she was listening.
"Are we ever going back to Konoha?" he asked.
"No." she said. "We'll take up residence in that little village we set up in Rice. Your Uncle will be Kage."
A snort from Jiraiya earned him a slap on the back of the head from Orochimaru who had Anko on his back. "Stow it dobe. Unless you want to be Hokage?"
Jiraiya's eyes widened. "Aw hell no. I hate the sheer thought of all that paperwork."
Shizune was quiet. "But, what will we call the village?"
"The Hidden Sound." Orochimaru said. "We've found several nomadic ninja and samurai, along with villagers who want something better."
Naruto looked at Orochimaru who continued as they raced further away from Konoha. "Many people do not like many of the rules and laws that the ruling families in many villages pass to support themselves. We set up this new village so that no law favors anyone. The Hokage of the Sound will be the one and only law. There will be no council. Ninja will be trained, no favoritism like there has been in Konoha and several of the other villages we passed thru over the years."
Naruto was thinking, it was Anko who spoke. "Whose going to teach?" she asked.
"While Tsunade and Shizune set up the hospital, and I run the Kage's office, Ero-baka there will be helping with the academy."
Both children smiled at the look on Jiraiya's face. "ME? I can't teach!"
"Only until we have more stable ninja force." Tsunade said. "Many of the ninja we've talked to that are missing nin are those that were betrayed and fled or were disillusioned with the system. I'm sure that we'll find a suitable teacher amongst them."
Jiraiya snorted. "Or freaks."
"What's he mean by that kaa-san?" Naruto asked.
Tsunade sighed. "He means people that are as stranger than him."
Naruto's eyes got wide. "Is that possible?"
That brought a laugh to the group as they continued to flee, they passed thru the Valley of the End and out of Fire Country, not to be seen there for many years to come.
XX
Konoha
"No trace of them Lord Hokage." Inu masked ANBU reported. "What happened?"
Sarutobi sighed. "Danzo and his conspirators made a power play and it backfired. The Sannin have abandoned Konoha, with the Daimyo's permission." He sighed. "They along with Naruto have left our country and are going to make a new hidden village."
The ANBU's body language screamed disbelief.
"Danzo and his Root tried to kill the adopted son of the Sannin. They took it like any parent would."
Inu sighed. "We've captured forty-seven members of Root. However Danzo has yet to be found along with four members of his inner circle."
Sarutobi cursed under his breath. "Put the word out. Danzo and his Root are to be captured or killed on sight. Anything else?"
"We lost sight of missing nin Rin Inuzuka." The masked ninja said, his words hesitant as if it hurt to say them.
"Where?"
"Near the border. The chunin's that saw her were knocked out, no injuries like every other encounter." Inu said.
The Hokage sighed. "Dismissed."
This is not good. Danzo's out there with four of his best operatives. We've lost three Kage level warriors due to the stupidity of the council, and Minato's third student still hasn't been brought in.
He pulled out his pipe and puffed on it. I am not looking forward to the council of Kage's in three weeks.
XX
Unknown Mountain Range
"Report." A deep voice reported.
Natas stepped from the shadows and went to a knee. "I was unable to retrieve the Kyuubi my master. It is…bound to the mortal child by some seal on his belly."
The figure made of shadow and smoke snarled. "Then bring me the child. The barrier must fall."
"I am doing what I can master, but I lost them after my encounter, its like the boy knows how to mask his signature."
"Then find the other eight. I will send my emissary when you have the other eight."
"Should I confront the Kyuubi container again master?" Natas asked.
"NO!" leave it free for now. Allow it to grow in power, it will make taking over this realm so much more sweet."
"What of the elder gods?" Natas asked.
"They know nothing for now. We must be careful. The last thing we need is for one of them to become involved." The shadow form shifted. "For now leave the Kyuubi child free. When the time comes we shall take him and crush him."
"By your command." Natas said on his knees, his head down.
"I will send you soul collectors, you will use them to harvest the other eight. Do not fail me in this Natas."
"I won't fail you."
The shadow figure vanished and Natas was alone. I will do as you command master, and Naruto Uzumaki, when the time comes I shall relish tearing the Kyuubi from you and seeing your eyes as the life leaves your pathetic shell.
AN: A twist. Natas ain't the boss, but he's going to be a major pawn in this game. Until next time.