Chapter 7: What now...

It had been a month since Naruto's arrival in his new world and with the exception of the first two days he had not stepped foot out of the Namikaze estate. Sure, his clones were seen all over town doing D-rank missions as part of his probation, but the real Naruto had yet to leave his new home. In fact, with the exception of Jiraiya, no one had seen the real Naruto since that night at the Hokage Monument. Anko and Yugao still stayed at the estate, but they had found the main house sealed with blood seals keyed specifically to Naruto, so they had been staying in the small house at the back of the property for servants. Tsunade had ordered Naruto to present himself to her several times, but he just sent shadow clones instead of appearing in person.

The shadow clones were a disconcerting sight most of the time, solemn faced and refusing to speak any more than they needed to. It was one of them that showed up to pay for the medical treatment to mend the arm of the ANBU that had attacked Naruto that night, tossing a bag of Ryo on the desk of the hospital receptionist before vanishing in a puff of smoke. The other clones would take missions with Anko and Yugao, but they rarely spoke while completing their tasks. All in all it was a little depressing for the pair of ANBU as they tried to make amends to Naruto, only for the clones to shrug and seemingly ignore the young women.

Jiraiya was also a slightly different person since that night, his relationship with his wife the Hokage had grown a bit strained. He still felt that Tsunade was acting like a hypocrite, even if she had decided not to press charges against Naruto for his actions at the Monument. It didn't help that Tsunade was still convinced that the CRA was the ultimate answer to the problem. He had almost struck her when she suggested ordering two female shinobi to seduce Naruto as a means of showing the boy that people cared about him. The resulting conversation, more like rant as Jiraiya yelled at his wife, was heard from the Hokage tower all the way to the front gates of the village. After that Jiraiya had refused to even talk to Tsunade, moving into the Namikaze compound with Naruto, who surprisingly allowed the old hermit to stay in the main house with him.

After her falling out with her husband and coming to realize she had made some rather large blunders where Naruto was concerned, Tsunade had attempted several times to apologize to the young blond. She had summoned him several times to her office, but each time Naruto just sent shadow clones who would just stand before her with emotionless expressions as she tried to talk to them. The fact she was unable to tell if they were the real him or not was frustrating enough, but the way they just looked at her with dead eyes before dispelling in a cloud of smoke made her feel as if she was never going to be able to make this right between them. Seeing as how Jiraiya was siding with Naruto, it was imperative to her that this situation be solved in the best possible way as quickly as possible. She really missed her husband.

For his part, Hiashi looked like someone had kicked his puppy as he went about trying to come up with all the money that would be required to pay back the Namikaze Clan. No, he wasn't sure Naruto would turn down the marriage to his daughter, but given the young man's reaction to the news, it was better safe than sorry. The fact that his relationship with his eldest daughter was now even worse than it had been was also tearing him up inside. He really hadn't meant to make Hinata think he was against her relationship with Mito, but looking back on it he could see how she would feel that way. Cursing himself for his choice of words back then, Hiashi could only pray he would get a way to make it up to her someday, if she ever gave him the chance.

Mito for her part was depressed because she felt she had hurt the only family she had in the world, even if she hadn't meant to. She had just been so excited about the thought of being with her girlfriend forever that she had forgotten to take into account how her actions and words might affect Naruto. At first she had been angry with Naruto for seemingly abandoning her, but after Jiraiya explained the situation to her she realized that wasn't the case. Since talking with Jiraiya she had tried to see the real Naruto at least once a day, but each time she spoke to one of his clones they just stated that he currently wasn't seeing any visitors before dispelling without another word. She had even taken to staying with Anko and Yugao in the Namikaze servant quarters, hoping to see the real Naruto in passing, but it hadn't worked so far. It also confused her that she felt herself attracted to the young blond man, especially since that had never happened to her before. It left her feeling as if she was betraying her girlfriend, being attracted to someone else, which had led her to avoiding Hinata as she thought about the situation.

While all that was going on, Hinata was a mess. She hadn't seen much of her girlfriend in a month because Mito was constantly trying to talk with Naruto. The loss of Mito's presence combined with the feeling that she had hurt Naruto without meaning to had left her feeling guilty and alone all the time. Even her performance on missions had begun to suffer as she was constantly distracted by thoughts of the two of them. It was getting so bad she was starting to wonder if maybe she should just break up with Mito. Honestly, she knew it wouldn't solve the problem, especially after learning why Naruto was so dead set against the marriage and use of the CRA. It's hard to feel angry at someone who refuses to force himself on you. The fact that she actually found Naruto attractive and could see herself eventually having feelings for him only added to the problem, mostly because it would be difficult to convince him her feelings were real and not an act.

Finally we have Mikoto Uchiha who felt she was the cause of the whole mess. She had never meant to hurt Naruto when she suggested the CRA as a solution, but that's exactly what she had done. Admittedly, the CRA was the perfect solution to Hinata and Mito's problem, but she had worded it wrong when she explained the situation. In fact, the whole situation had blown up in her face, leaving her feeling she was responsible for Naruto's current policy of isolation. Now she was trying to find a way out of the situation that would not require Naruto to sacrifice anything, but grant him all the rewards he deserved for the past sacrifices he had made. Sure, he may not have done much here in this world, but after hearing his story Mikoto was well aware of all he had done in his old one. It was a frustrating problem and she just hoped she could do something about it.

So, all in all, a strange darkness settled across the village even though most people had no idea what was causing the tension in the air. The only bright side of the situation seemed to be a strange red and gold bird that occasionally flow around the village. Children had taken to calling the bird Momo, though their parents didn't know where the name came from. There were even rumors that occasionally the bird would play with the children, sometimes even healing minor scrapes and cuts they got when they got hurt. No one knew where the bird came from, but most agreed it was a good omen for the village.

"Summon Naruto Namikaze to appear before me," ordered Tsunade to one of her ANBU. "Tell him I want to see the real him this time, not another clone."

"As you command," replied the ANBU, Pig as it turned out.

Pig vanished from Tsunade's office and reappeared moments later in front of the main gate to the Namikaze compound. Since the announcement of Naruto's fictitious backstory, many people had attempted to schedule meetings with him, but they had all been politely turned away. Knocking on the gate, one of Naruto's clones suddenly appeared before Pig, looking at him with an arched eyebrow.

"You need something?"

"Two things," said Pig as he kneeled in front of the clone. "I know you are just a clone, but I also know that Namikaze-sama will learn of this when you disperse. Please, Namikaze-sama, forgive me for attacking you at the Hokage Monument. I was wrong to do so and hold no hard feelings against you for it."

"The Boss will consider your words, Pig-san," stated the clone emotionlessly. "Also, please, don't kneel before me. I am just a clone and the Boss is just a regular man, not some high and mighty figure demanding forced respect. He will either earn your respect, or not."

"He has earned my respect," countered Pig, standing up. "He didn't need to pay for my medical treatment as I was at fault in the situation, but he did it anyway. That is worthy of respect and shows that Namikaze-sama is a good man at heart."

"Maybe," said the clone, looking a bit unsure of what else to say.

"As for my second reason for being here, the Hokage has requested the real Namikaze-sama to appear before her as soon as possible. She specifically stated he was not to send another clone this time."

"Understood," replied the clone, his tone hardening again. "Tell her he will be there soon."

Pig nodded before turning to leave, sensing he clone behind him disperse. Inside the house the real Naruto and several clones were currently in his office reading over several scrolls concerning both the village laws and the accursed Alliance contract. Over the last month he had been trying to find a loophole in either that would allow him to get out of the damned Alliance without harming anyone, but so far he had come up with nothing. The original Clan Heads that had written the contract had been rather thorough when creating the terms of the agreement. Short of him killing himself and Mito, there was no way to avoid marrying Hinata that wouldn't destroy her family.

He had been confused at first as to why the Hyuga giving him back the money would harm them so much, it wasn't really that much money originally. That's when he found the clause which detailed the amount of money to be returned being based on the percentage of money they had then in regards to what they had then. Basically, since his family had given them ninety percent of the money they needed to build their Clan compound, and which they had also used to become financially stable in the village, they would need to return ninety percent of their current holdings to replace it. Based on what he had been able to discover from his clones, coming up with that much money would mean the clan would be forced to sell the majority of their land and liquidate all their business holdings. It was not an acceptable outcome, especially since it would just create animosity between his family and the Hyuga.

I'm sorry Naruto-kun. This is all my fault. This world just seemed so perfect when I found it. I wish I had picked another one, any other one.

Looking over at the red and gold phoenix perched in the window, Naruto shook his head. "It wasn't your fault, Momo. I wouldn't be surprised if this agreement had been in place back home as well. Hiashi always did look at me like I was a bomb ready to explode, which is probably why he didn't mention anything to me before the war. If things hadn't gone so far south, I probably would have ended up marrying Hinata anyway, saving him from ever having to worry about his family's holdings."

Just then he received the memories from his clone stationed at the gate and smirked. "So, Tsunade finally figured out that I would keep sending clones until she requested me personally, did she. Well, can't keep the Hokage waiting, now can I?"

Try to remember, Naruto-kun, she didn't mean to hurt you. She was just looking out for the girls, whom she's known much longer than she has you.

"I know, Momo-chan," he admitted, standing up from his desk and making his way towards his bedroom to change into his new shinobi clothing. "I just lost my cool when I heard what they were suggesting. I'll keep my temper this time."

Just listen to her, Naruto-kun. Now, while you are off to talk to the old hag, I'm going to go play with the kids at the park.

"Have fun, Momo-chan!" he called after her as the phoenix flew out the window.

Reaching his bedroom, Naruto stripped out of the sleeping pants and t-shirt he was wearing before heading into the bathroom for a quick shower. Several minutes later he stepped back out into his bedroom and opened the dresser drawer where his clones had put his new gear and clothing. Jiraiya had applied the Steel Skin seal on him the day after the incident at the Hokage Monument and thanks to Momo he had adapted to it over the corse of a week. His skin looked no different to the casual observer, but it was now constantly as hard as it normally was when he was channeling Nature chakra. That combined with the warmer temperature of this world had encouraged him to get some new clothes. They were nowhere near as revealing as some of the other shinobi around the village wore, but they were drastically different from what he was used to.

Pulling out a pair of black knee length shorts, an orange tinted steel mesh short sleeveless t-shirt, a black sleeveless flack jacket, and a pair of black canvas hi-top athletic shoes he began to dress. Once dressed, with his headband fastened securely around his head, Naruto started fastening on his weapons pouches and tucking various scrolls inside his vest pockets. He debated zipping up the vest, but it was too hot already today for that, so left it unzipped. Unlike the other mesh clothing his clones had found in the stores, this one was a tighter weave, meaning he didn't feel half naked when wearing it. All in all, he liked the new look even if there wasn't enough orange in it for his tastes.

"Well, better see what the hold hag wants," he murmured to himself before vanishing in a yellow flash.

Reappearing outside the Hokage Tower, Naruto was ignored by most of the people around him as they assumed he was just another clone. That was fine with Naruto considering he just was not in the mood to deal with people fawning over him thanks to his position as the head of two clans. Making his way up to Tsunade's office, Naruto noticed Hinata sitting behind the mission desk handing out assignments to several Genin teams. The dark haired beauty looked up at him, also assuming he was just a clone, and gave him a wistful smile before returning to her duties. Naruto was a bit confused by the look she gave him, but wrote it off as her feeling bad about being forced to marry him.

Stepping up to the door to the Hokage's office, Naruto knocked once before the door opened and he stepped inside. "You wanted to see me, Hokage-sama?"

Tsunade, looking a bit haggard, looked up at him with a sad smile. "I'm glad to see the real you again after so long, Naruto-san."

Naruto just nodded, accepting her words as just pleasant banter before issuing him an order. "Thank you, Hokage-sama, but what can I do for you today?"

Sighing, not happy that Naruto seemed resistant to relaxing around her, a fact that surprised her considering she hadn't known him that long, Tsunade explained. "No, I don't have a mission for you today, not a real one anyway. What I really wanted was just to talk to you. Not as the Hokage and one of her shinobi, but as two people that got off to a bad start and need to come to a better understanding of each other."

"Ahh, I see," Naruto calmly replied. "So, you tell me how sorry you are and I automatically forgive you, is that it?"

"No!" she instantly objected, though she felt her temper flaring for a moment. "I don't expect you to just roll over and take it, not again. The fact that you think that's what I expect of you is bad enough, but that's not what I want at all."

Reaching down and opening one of her desk drawers, Tsunade pulled out a bottle of sake and two dishes. Pouring a generous amount of sake in both, she offered one to Naruto with a gesture for him to take a seat. She was a bit surprised when he actually accepted both offers, pulling a chair over and then taking a seat as he accepted the sake. With another gesture she dismissed the ANBU hidden in the office, waiting for them to leave before she spoke.

"You know, I didn't want this job," she said after the last ANBU left the room. "Mito had to nearly die in order to convince me to come back. I was out of the village during Orochimaru's attempted invasion. There was an outbreak of unusual sickness in Wave Country, no one could explain the cause, but people were dying at an alarming rate. Shizune and I were sent to investigate, but things were looking bad for the people there. We were so focused on figuring out the problem that we missed the rumors about an invasion back home. It was only when Jiraiya and Mito showed up that we became aware of the problem."

Taking a sip of her sake, Tsunade looked thoughtful for a moment before she continued. "In a way it was a good thing we missed the invasion, seeing as how Orochimaru had his spies bomb the hospital right off the start. We lost a lot of healers and nurses that day, not to mention the bad position it left the village in. Orochimaru was dead, Itachi killed him when that old snake tried to give the kid a Curse seal during the invasion, but the damage was done. Sarutobi was already dead, poisoned by that damned sword Orochimaru always carried around with him. The Civilian council was trying to force Itachi and his mother to marry, wanting to force them to breed more 'pure' Uchiha. It was a mess of unbelievable proportions."

"Sounds like a bad time for everyone," commented Naruto, speaking for the first time since taking his seat.

Pouring herself some more sake, Naruto hadn't finished his yet, Tsunade nodded. "It was. The Clan Council wanted me to become the next Hokage, leaving wave to suffer their fate without me. I refused, my duty as a healer taking precedence over the needs of the village at that moment. It was only when Mito got sick that I figured out what was causing the deaths. One of Gato's ships, he was the bastard that had been trying to take over the country before Mito and her team stopped him, was leaking rare chemicals into the waters around Wave. Mixing in the waters around the ship, then being absorbed by the local fish, when the people of the village ate enough of the fish they got sick."

Tsunade finished her second dish of sake, pouring a third as she snorted. "Mito always had a big appetite, so after eating enough fish in one sitting for three people, she got sick. As it was her first meal in the village I examined her food, most of which she had thrown back up. I realized the chemicals were acting as a poison and managed to create a cure, along with instructing the local fishermen to drag Gato's ship out of the water and sealing away the chemicals. All the while Shizune were treating sick villagers and Mito."

"Sounds like you did the right thing then, but how did Mito getting sick convince you to become Hokage?"

"It wasn't her getting sick that made me change my mind," stated Tsunade with a smile. "It was what she said after the fact. As soon as she was back on her feet Mito hugged me and said, 'That's why you should be Hokage, you care about everyone, not just the villagers.'"

"I can see that," admitted Naruto, finally finishing his sake and refilling his saucer. "So, you came back to the village and fired the old Civilian Council and the old advisors?"

"Pretty much," agreed Tsunade with a devilish smile. "Oh, I threatened the shits for a bit before I did, but in the end I got rid of them all. A few of them tried to threaten to leave the village, taking their little businesses with them if they did, but I pointed out to them that the Namikaze Clan owned businesses made their's meaningless in the long run, so they shut up."

"Are my family holdings really that important to the village economy?" asked Naruto, already expecting her answer.

"Honestly, yes," she admitted with a wry grin. "If you ever manage to get control of the businesses you own in Iwa and Kumo, you will represent the single most financially powerful person in all of the Elemental Nations. At this point I'm not sure how you would pull that off, short of going to war with both countries, but anything is possible."

"I'll forego a war," Naruto said with a frown. "Considering how long those businesses have been out of my families hands, it may be a moot point to try and get them back. Do you know exactly what those businesses were?"

"Both were mining companies, mostly copper in Iwa and iron ore in Kumo," Tsunade informed him. "Last reports we had out of Iwa was that the copper was almost exhausted, but the mines in Kumo seem to be doing fine. There is also a titanium mine in Uzu, but has been inactive since the village was destroyed. The Uzumaki Clan had a secret method of extracting the raw ore from the ground without having to strip mine the land, but when they died no one knew how they did it. Without their knowledge of how to extract it in pure form, no one could afford to keep the mine open."

"I'll look into that," offered Naruto, wondering if there were any secret records kept in the Uzumaki vaults sealed under the ruins of the village. "Being able to provide titanium alloys to our allies might make for a good economic boost for my family."

"Like you need it," laughed Tsunade, "your two clans combined are the richest ones in the world, bar none."

"Yes, but I have plans for that wealth and without more money coming in, that wealth won't last forever," countered Naruto.

"Oh, you've got plans to you?" asked Tsunade, curious as to what he had in mind. "Care to share?"

Naruto thought about it a moment, then figured there was no harm in telling her a bit about what he had in mind. "My Jiraiya believed that peace was possible, if we worked for it hard enough. I plan to see his dream come true by funding hospitals and schools across the Elemental Nations where everyone, civilian and shinobi alike, will be welcomed regardless of where they come from."

"A lofty goal, Naruto," admitted Tsunade with a smile. "I won't lie, it will be a lot of work getting the other nations to accept something like that."

"Not just the Elemental Nations, but the other continents as well," clarified Naruto, watching as Tsunade's jaw dropped. "I plan on using the money my family makes to improve the entire world, not just a part of it. I know there are other continents, some with greater or lesser levels of technology, so I will use my schools to spread that knowledge everywhere."

"Holy shit, kid, that's one hell of a goal to have," the Hokage admitted, draining her sixth saucer and refilling it again. "You sure you're up for something like that?"

"I've been a shinobi all my life," answered Naruto with a smirk. "I've fought wars and I've taken lives. Now I want to do something that will help everyone, not just one village. I may not live to see the completion of my dream, but I will do my best to see it well on its way. Which is part of the reason I came here in person and didn't just send another clone."

"Oh, and why is that?"

"I've decided to accept the Hyuga contract, taking Hinata as my wife," Naruto informed her, though Tsunade could tell he wasn't happy about it. "I will also willingly enter into the CRA program, to ensure that Mito can be with the woman she loves."

"I detect a 'but' coming, so spit it out," Tsunade ordered, setting her saucer aside and leaning forward to rest her chin on her intertwined hands.

"But I doubt I will ever take any other wives," stated Naruto, no emotion present in his voice as he spoke. "I read about an old tradition, the use of a third party to carry a child when a woman could not carry a child of her own. The woman to be impregnated would be covered in a sheet, hidden from sight, as the man and his wife faced each other as he did what was needed. For all intents and purpose, the surrogate mother was a non-entity in the process, paid well for carrying the child, then given another large sum of money once she delivered the child. I will just use a variation of the technique. I know there are drugs that will cause me to have an erection whether I want to or not, so I will use a sleeping pill to fall asleep, Hinata and Mito can then cover my body in a sheet and apply the needed drug to cause a physical reaction. I will be nothing more than a donor, never taking any gratification from the act, nor participating in it as anything other than a living sex toy. This can be repeated as often as needed until Hinata is pregnant, after that the Hyuga family will be safe and I will not have been forced to rape an unwilling woman. Once the child is born I will sign over all parental rights to Mito and step aside to let them raise it as their own. At that point I can fade into the background, the child will inherit my family name and fortune, and none of them need ever see me again."

Tsunade was shocked by the cold logic of his plan. He was so convinced that he would never be loved by either young woman that he was going to sacrifice his own happiness for them. Not only that, he would be reducing himself to little better than a strap-on dick for the two girls to use while he wouldn't even be conscious. The fact he would then never seek them out again, nor his child, left Tsunade cursing Mikoto and Hiashi for causing this mess by bringing up the contract or the CRA. Hell, Naruto wasn't even going to attempt to find any other women to marry, leaving himself alone for the rest of his life. It was just too horrible a fate for someone with such heart that he wanted to help the world, but didn't seem to be able to help himself.

"Kami," moaned Tsunade, burying her face in her hands. "This isn't what I wanted, Naruto. I know we started off a little rocky, but I hoped today we could get past that and find a way for everyone to be happy."

"I will be happy," countered Naruto, though the look in his eyes clearly stated he was lying. "I'll have my dreams to keep me occupied."

"But who will love you?"

"I've finally accepted that no mater where I go, love is not in the cards for me," stated an emotionless Naruto. "I just have to accept that it is my fate to be alone. The best I can hope for is that when I finally die, someone will be there to insure I receive a proper burial, or at least destroy my body before someone can desecrate it."

Lifting her face from her hands, tears pouring from her eyes, Tsunade hated the look of cold acceptance in Naruto's eyes. "No, don't think that way, Naruto. We can find another way without you needing to give up so much."

"There is no other way," argued Naruto with a sad smile. "I've read that contract several times and it's iron clad. I can't even take a mistress, nor can Hinata, without activating the infidelity clauses that would dissolve the alliance. Old bastards that wrote it never thought about who my cheat, just that if either of them did the Hyuga would still have to give everything up. Me, I just have to hand back an old dagger, but the Hyuga, they would be ruined. So, you tell me, what other options do I have?"

Standing and bowing to Tsunade, Naruto left the office without a further word. Tsunade just sat there, watching him go, with tears pouring down her face. This wasn't how things were supposed to turn out. Talking with Naruto was supposed to give her an idea of how to make the young man happy, not listen to him basically say he had given up on anyone ever caring about him. She might not have known him for long, but Jiraiya raved to everyone about what a good man Naruto was and she had listened to every one of those stories when they were related to her by her ANBU.

Even the interaction people had with Naruto's clones had painted the young blond as an good man. Sure, the clones might not talk much, but they helped so many people without ever asking for anything in return. Just this morning she got a report of several of the clones helping put out a fire in a house, saving everyone inside even after her ANBU guards had given up the attempt. They might just be clones, but they reflected who Naruto was and it was clear that he was a man worthy of respect and love, but now he had given up on that.

He's such a martyr sometimes.

Spinning around in on her chair Tsunade came face to face with a magnificent red and gold bird sitting on her windowsill. "I take it you are Momo?"

Yep! Jiraiya told me that you already knew about me, so no need hiding the fact.

"The most powerful Biju in the world playing with children and healing scraped knees," laughed Tsunade as she admired the phoenix before her.

I like kids. They're still innocent, seeing all the wonder in the world that we lost sight of as we got older. Just so you know, Naruto-kun plays with the kids as well, he just uses a powerful Henge to make it look like he's one of them.

That surprised Tsunade as her ANBU assured her that Naruto hadn't left his house in weeks. Then again, he did know his father's techniques, so he was probably flashing in and out of his house when no one was watching. The part of her mind that was Hokage wanted to be angry that he was slipping past her security, but the rest of her had to admit the kid had some peace and quiet due him.

"I won't tell anyone," she promised, getting a nod from the phoenix. "I'm worried about him though. What he has planned about the schools and hospitals is really amazing, but the rest of it crushes my heart."

Naruto-kun tends to go to extremes when he feels strongly about something. In this case he can't even see that Hinata and Mito might be able to have genuine feelings for him. He can't even see that others might as well. No, it's not that he can't, he just won't. He's been hurt so many times in the past, now he just expects it to happen again, so why bother trying anymore. I've watched the girls, they are a mess, as are Anko and Yugao because they all feel guilty about this situation. Naruto won't accept that they might care about him, seeing any caring as nothing but an act to make him happy, when in reality they really do care about him. In time, they might all fall in love with him, but he can't bring himself to see it.

Tsunade nodded, she had spoken with all four young women and they each had some degree of fondness for the young blond. "I don't know how to make him see it, not if he is determined not to."

You can't make him do anything, at least not in his personal life. However, you could force him to do something as his Hokage, say an extended mission that just happens to include the young ladies in quesiton?

"That has possibilities," admitted Tsunade, though she wasn't completely convinced it would help. "Would that really solve anything though, seeing as how he's convinced himself that any genuine feelings they might develop for him are nothing but sugar coated words to keep him happy?"

I can't say for sure, but Naruto has an incredible ability to change people, so we can only hope it includes the ability to change himself.