Claimer: I own the story line and not the characters.
The meeting with the council has arrived but how will it end up? Will the council choose to hurt Naruto further and risk war or will they submit to Naruto and apologize?
Thanks for the catch EDelta88, I fixed it as soon as I got your message.
Chapter 21 – Meet the council… Asses show their moons…
Naruto and Hinata were happy but not pleased. They had just gone through a second session with Inoichi Yamanaka to find out if Naruto was telling the truth about Kakashi. The first session did not go well at all.
(Flashback)
"I don't see why you will not just take me at my word about this. I am a shinobi for Kami sake." Naruto whined.
"You are also nearly a missing nin from Konoha and your word against Kakashi is not good enough. I'm sorry but he is a respected shinobi…" Inoichi stated but interrupted by Naruto bursting into laughter.
"Respected? Respected? Like how this village was supposed to care and keep me safe, and treat me like a hero like my father wanted. I call bullshit!" Naruto stated bluntly.
"Naruto-kun! Be nice!" Hinata ordered. Naruto immediately changed his tone.
"Sorry…" Naruto said in a long drawn out drawl.
Inoichi laughed as it felt like he was watching a married couple not a couple of young genin. "It is alright Naruto, we'll work this out. Now I just need to you to relax and we shall begin." Inoichi said in a soothing voice.
"Oh wait you should watch out…" Naruto said but trailed off as Inoichi performed his jutsu.
"Ninja art: Mind Entrance Jutsu." Inoichi said as he slumped over in his chair and entered Naruto's mind.
Hinata seemed to nod off as soon as Naruto did.
(Mindscape)
"This is different. Usually a mind is blank not a open field." Inoichi commented.
"How dare you trespass in my kits mind without my permission!" Kyuubi stated in very angry voice.
Inoichi looked at the woman in a long red kimono with long red hair. It then struck him that this beautiful woman before him had nine waving tails behind her and blood red eyes with slits for pupils.
"Greetings I am Inoichi Yamanaka. I am here…" Inoichi started to explain but was cut off.
"You enter without permission. What do you have to say for yourself?" Kyuubi asked.
Naruto and Hinata suddenly appeared next to the Kyuubi.
"Hi baa-chan. He is looking for evidence that Kakashi hit me with his stupid lightning attack." Naruto said happily.
"What type of evidence do you want from my kit?" Kyuubi asked.
"Why do you call him your kit? He is not a baby fox." Inoichi asked.
Kyuubi rolled her eyes. "Stupid humans and their not believing what they are told. Fine! Enter the castle and open one of the black doors. I think it is labeled 'lost memories'." Kyuubi pointed to a castle on the hill close to them.
Inoichi entered and looked for the door. What he found disturbed him to no end. He vomited in the first five minutes, but it took him thirty to find the right memory. Apparently both Kakashi and the Uchiha liked to torture Naruto and then make him forget. He came to understand why the Kyuubi was being so protective of Naruto. He also happened upon the memory of Naruto saving Hinata.
Inoichi threw up after he broke the jutsu and said he would be back to help Naruto to deal with some of the pain if he could.
(End Flashback)
The second session was the day before they were going to go before the village council. Inoichi found that Naruto and Hinata's minds were linked through the seal and he could work with both of the children in fixing their emotional state. He found Naruto very likable but also not as developed mentally as he would have expected.
--
The village council chamber was packed with both the clan council and the village council. The room was filled to capacity with the team from Whirlpool plus Haku, team 7 minus Kakashi, Kohaku, two Sanin, Shizune, the village elders and the Hokage rounded out the cast of characters that were present.
"We are gathered here to put to rest the baseless charge of Kakashi Hatake attacking a civilian and an allied shinobi with an assassination ninjutsu." Koharu stated to the council group.
Naruto shifted forward almost knocking his cowl off of his head but was restrained by Kikiyo. All the member of the Whirlpool delegation were wearing cloaks and had their cowls pulled over their heads.
"We are also here to put to rest the baseless charge of Sasuke Uchiha acting inappropriately towards an allied shinobi. How plead you Sasuke? Seeing as Kakashi is being his normal self and perpetually late." Koharu asked Sasuke.
"I plead not guilty to the charge." Sasuke stated as boldly as he could muster.
"You forgot a few charges Koharu-chan." Sarutobi reminded her of the other outstanding charges. "How do you plead to those charges Sasuke?" Sarutobi asked.
"Again, I plead not guilty." Sasuke replied without batting an eye.
"So you deny attacking my daughter in plain sight of others? Forcibly removing a towel in the bathroom?" Hiashi asked pointedly.
Sasuke looked Hiashi in the eyes, he turned on his Sharingan, and Hiashi activated his Byakugan. "Yes, I deny it." Sasuke replied angrily.
"Sasuke! Deactivate your Sharingan before you bring down the Hyuuga upon the clan. Do you want a clan war?" Mikoto angrily yelled at Sasuke as Kohaku slapped him on the back of the head.
Sasuke instantly deactivated his Sharingan and looked at Kohaku who just sighed. "For a genius you really are an arrogant idiot." Kohaku said loud enough for the council to hear. She then knelt before Hiashi. "Please forgive my future husband. We have only been engaged a week and I am working on his manners but they still need work. Please forgive him."
"He is like his father. That and other reasons are why I will not honor the betrothal. I will spare the Uchiha their destruction but if that boy steps out of line again I will ask for his head, husband to be or not. Mikoto-san your husband hurt me and my family, and your son is continuing that tradition. How do you plan to rectify this?" Hiashi asked politely. "Your son is even lying to our faces."
"I know he is lying, Hiashi-san. I am just am not sure why he is doing it. This is the reason I have set both Sasuke and his sensei up with trustworthy women so that they do not cause my clan or the village any more political trouble. As of now Sasuke is regaled to 'D' rank missions only, and all pay will be sent to Uzu as reparations." Mikoto said with a sigh.
"Are you not also putting my daughter into a position where she is being punished for your son's actions?" Inoichi asked as he glared at Mikoto.
Mikoto sighed. "Very well, I will not restrict the level of the missions he can be on but all the money collected will be sent to Uzu as reparation. Will that do?" Mikoto acquiesced.
"Why are you admitting your son's guilt when it has not been proven?" Koharu asked.
"Because either the council is blind or they want a war with Uzu and Iwa. I want neither as I am trying to rebuild my clan. As for my husband's doing something underhanded, I'm not surprised, because he liked to play near the border of the law." Mikoto admitted.
"I would like to see the faces of Sasuke's and Kakashi's accusers." Homura stated bluntly.
Naruto removed his cowl and glared at the council as members gasped. Homura cleared his throat and Naruto was surrounded by ANBU. Hinata, Keiko, Haku and Kikiyo all removed their cowls as well.
Naruto smiled as the ANBU grabbed him. "You know that if you don't let go I will be forced to defend myself and any injuries I suffer will go towards war being initiated by you idiots upon yourselves by not thinking before you do something." Naruto stated bluntly.
Naruto suddenly cried out in pain and was engulfed in a large cloud of smoke. The ANBU that appeared to have stuck Naruto was breathing hard when the smoke cleared a sword poked out of his left chest. "Enough! Get him some medical assistance! Naruto you are now under my protection and if the council has a problem with that they can remove me from office."
Naruto removed his sword as Tsunade stood in front of Naruto just temping anyone to try to attack him. Hiashi, Inoichi and Tsume all got up and stood before the Uzu group. Jiraiya stood behind the group. "Anybody else want to try to hurt our grand-nephew?" Jiraiya asked as he looked at Tsunade and grinned.
"What do you mean grand-nephew?" Danzou asked as if he only wanted information and nothing more.
Tsunade smiled as if she knew something and wanted to tell the world. "Naruto-kun is the great-great-grandson of the Second Hokage, making him my grand-nephew. And you ask who his father was? It was none other than the man who sealed the Kyuubi into him, the Fourth Hokage." Tsunade answered then put her hand out for Jiraiya to explain his relations.
"Naruto is grandson of my uncle-in-law. Given the way this village treats him I am almost of the same opinion of Orochimaru that this village is beyond saving. I hold out hope because of these clans." Jiraiya spread out his hands showing that the Hyuuga, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Nara and Akimichi clans all showed their support of Naruto.
"We cannot just let our jinchuuriki be taken even by an allied village. He is ours and we have put in a great investment in him." Koharu pointed out.
"Investment! Investment! Is that what you call it? Near constant attacks, sabotaging of my learning, allowing the villagers to torment and beat me on a daily basis, you call this investment?" Naruto angrily asked.
"No, we say the loss of a Hokage is a large investment." Homura answered.
"So you are claiming my father now?" Naruto demanded nearly ready to attack the two old teammates of Sarutobi.
"It has not been truly established you are his child. You were and still are considered an orphan." Koharu answered in and annoyed tone.
"So then who do you think are my parents and why is my name Uzumaki?" Naruto asked.
"Your name is Uzumaki to protect you from your father's enemies, here on the council and abroad. I have heard from the Tsuchikage that you are safe from attack from Rock shinobi, even as the son of their most hated enemy the 'Yellow Flash', the Fourth Hokage. Your genetics prove you are the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. I as the third Hokage declare this to be true." Sarutobi announced as gasps and shouts erupted from the room. The group of clan heads standing in front of Naruto just smiled.
"I Hiashi Hyuuga also attest that Naruto is the son of Minato and Kushina. He is also betrothed to my eldest daughter Hinata. And the contract with the Uchiha is void as it was gotten under false pretenses." Hiashi proclaimed as Naruto and Hinata smiled at each other.
Mikoto stood and moved with the group of clan heads in front of Naruto. "I am not sure how this happened but I support Naruto's claim to both the name Namikaze and to Hinata's hand in marriage. Congratulations Naruto-san treat her right or you will hear from me. Right Kikiyo?" Mikoto winked at Kikiyo.
"You want more proof? I delivered Naruto and Kushina WAS his mother. I will have to say that I am surprised that she died so soon after giving birth as I was tending to Naruto after Minato died. They found evidence of a struggle, but her death was ruled as death by childbirth. I think members on this council had something to do about that. What say you council?" Tsunade inquired with a hint of killing intent.
"Again we have baseless charges." Koharu pointed out to the council.
"Shut it old hag! As the great-great-grandnephew, the great-great-grandson, and the son of Hokages I demand answers. I do not like to act like a pompous ass like Sasuke-teme does on a regular basis but I want answers." Naruto demanded.
"You think that you, a missing nin, can demand from this council?" Homura retorted authoritatively.
"How am I a missing nin? I never registered with this village. I never graduated from your academy. The people of this village, they chased me out of it and tried to kill me. As a person related to three of the four Hokages you have had in this village I demand answers, now." Naruto growled at the council through his clan head protectors.
"Here are all the answers that I can give you Naruto. There are members on this council who despised your father and plotted his downfall. They are here on this very council right now. I am sure some of them have contact with the missing nin Orochimaru plotting to overthrow Sarutobi-sama right now. While I do not agree with Sarutobi I believe in the strength of Konoha. I was hoping you would come back and we could use your power to help us in trouble times to come Naruto." Danzou stated as many of the council glared daggers at the man.
'Well played Danzou, you are playing both sides against the middle, but what exactly are you up too?' Sarutobi thought.
"I am sorry Danzou if I don't trust your word as you made an ass of yourself in Uzu. Your opinion against me in the Mizuki affair was very, troubling." Naruto said with an angry smile.
Danzou looked surprised. "I was not aware you were the target of Mizuki. You have my apologies." Danzou lowered his head apologetically.
"Mizuki? What did Mizuki do?" Mikoto asked.
Naruto looked away as Hinata stepped forward. "Mizuki was convicted of assault and attempted rape to enter a house on an academy student. He died a gruesome but deserved death." Hinata answered.
Mikoto and Tsume looked angry enough to kill. "Good riddance to that piece of shit." Tsume stated bluntly.
"So what other than what Lady Uchiha has offered is the council going to do about Sasuke Uchiha's actions?" Hinata asked.
"You cannot honestly want to punish me further for a traitor who masquerades a girl do you?" Sasuke pleaded with a hidden smirk.
"What do you mean he masquerades as a girl?" Homura asked his interest piqued.
"He was in the form of a girl most of the mission, a red haired girl." Sasuke commented.
"And if I remember correctly you made a couple passes at me even offered to make me your wife. Also if you could marry Hinata I could be your consort." Naruto replied angrily.
The killing intent rose in the room to near suffocating levels. "Sasuke!!" Mikoto and Kohaku both yelled at Sasuke.
"He even pulled the towel off of me when I was attempting to leave the bath on the mission." Hinata added with a small but silent giggle as she knew this would make Sasuke's pain even worse.
Sasuke quickly ran to the window only to be blocked by an ANBU, he then ran to the corner and started to shake. "Lady Hyuuga, Lord Uzumaki we shall deal with him when we return to the compound. You have my assurance that he will be dealt with." Mikoto stated as she and Kohaku both bowed to the pair.
Koharu made an annoyed sound. "I am sure you want to defend that teme Hatake now, right?" Naruto inquired.
"What is your proof?" Homura asked.
"He has plenty of proof. I Inoichi Yamanaka can attest to the fact that Kakashi Hatake has attacked Naruto Uzumaki on two separate occasions with his personal jutsu. I can also attest that he suffers from genjutsu from Fugaku Uchiha as did Hiashi Hyuuga. So while he is guilty of this heinous act he is also innocent to an extent. The genjutsu he suffers from put him in sort of a bi-polar state. He will act reasonable towards Naruto one minute then the opposite moments later. So Mikoto all this points back to your husband and your clan. Seeing as how Hatake is now a member of your clan and has seen fit not to show up to this inquiry." Inoichi stated accusatory.
"We are currently taking care of the genjutsu. His wife found this after you examined him and asked permission to remove it. He is recovering from his honeymoon and the removal of the genjutsu. Akane has proposed that several items be given to Naruto, things his father gave to Kakashi before he died as reparations." Mikoto announced.
"I want to push a jutsu through his chest like he did to me!" Naruto loudly protested.
"I understand the pain he may have put you through but that is all we can do." Mikoto retorted softly.
"Not to sound ungrateful Lady Uchiha but do you realize that he tried to kill me not once but at least twice. He used his Sharingan to conceal the fact of his attack in the off chance I survived, which I did. He also threatened the client, my team and me to keep this quiet. I can't let that stand. I have put up with too much from Konoha not to go back to my grandfather and the Tsuchikage and ask them to declare war on Konoha and the Uchiha particularly Sasuke and Kakashi. What do you say about that?" Naruto asked as the venom rolled off his voice.
"That would be unwise young one. You have the support of one of the clans you want to wage war upon. We are a clan that consists of five males, and about eighty females. My son did a thorough job in decimating our clan. After Kikiyo and the ten families left my husband whom I suspected of foul play showed no concern for the loss of life. I was shocked to say the least. Then my eldest son kills almost all the males of our clan and he pushes a sword through my chest as I try to defend Fugaku. He tormented my other son into wanting revenge, now I have to pick up the pieces. I have no problem with Kikiyo and the others being happy in Uzu, I wish them well." Mikoto said with her head hung low.
"And what do you have to say about my mother being kidnapped and forced into your clan? And me never being allowed to join the academy?" Keiko asked angrily.
"Who are you girl? I do not recognize you." Mikoto asked confused.
"I am by birth Keiko Namikaze but go by the name Keiko Senju. I am niece to the Fourth Hokage and Naruto's cousin. My mother was kidnapped and forced into the lower branches of your family. Based on what we have experienced your family leans towards the evil side. There are a few exceptions but not many." Keiko stated almost in tears.
"You have my sympathies my child but there is nothing I can do about the past other than to apologize. My husband apparently was not a nice man and we had our differences. I did love him, but they say that love is blind. You shall have no more interference from the Uchiha clan, you have my word on that." Mikoto said as she glared at the quivering form of Sasuke. "He will be dealt with by his wife to be and me this evening. As much as I am sure you would want to have him sterilized I cannot have that happen to my one remaining child. He will not stray again." Mikoto said emphasizing her last sentence.
"The boy is threatening war with our village and you offer apologies." Homura questions Mikoto.
"Yes I do. This village has been more than vile to the boy, my son included. You dismiss his charges of everything from assault, to attempted murder as if they were baseless. I am ashamed to be called a council member. Those of you sitting in my opinion should be removed with extreme prejudice, especially you old geezers. You tell the boy that he is of value then you push people to kill the child. He maybe a jinchuuriki but he is no longer our jinchuuriki. Uzu has claim and has apparently treated him well there. According to the report they are more skilled than our genin. Which begs us to question our training methods. My son had nearly special treatment but for the son of a Hokage that died in the line of duty would be treated in such a manner." Mikoto let a single tear fall from her left eye as she continued her tirade.
"All children are precious, and I am ashamed of you especially Koharu. You're a great grandmother and you wish to have a child put to death. How dare you!" Mikoto yelled vindictively.
"You must calm yourself Mikoto head of the Uchiha. We are a shinobi village and we do things according to a code." Koharu coldly stated.
"Like ignore a dying mans wish? He wanted Naruto to be viewed as a hero, but this council in its infinite wisdom ignored his wishes and pushed as much hate onto the boy as they could, my husband included. Like ignore attempted murder and assault on a child? Now the boy has political backing and you still want to destroy him. He maybe a jinchuuriki but he is also human. Jinchuuriki means human sacrifice. Don't you think he has sacrificed enough?" Mikoto pleaded as tears ran down her face.
"As impassioned as your speech is. We are shinobi and are not so easily swayed." Homura stated.
"I had hoped that this village would have grown since Naruto had left this village but apparently it has not. Sure we might be able to destroy Uzu but they would have the backing of Iwa and of course we might lose all these clans to Uzu and then we would not be able to fight Uzu at all. If what has transpired in this meeting today came to light I know several things would happen. The Hyuuga would leave for Uzu, then both Sannin would also drop their allegiance to our village, I will resign and take my family, and I am sure several other families will leave with us. This will leave a gutted village. Also you would lose the support of the Fire Daimyo. He is most displeased with this council." Sarutobi stated as he slammed a scroll onto the table.
"Did the boy whine to the Daimyo?" Koharu asked.
"No he did not whine you old bitch!" Kikiyo snarled.
"You will hold your tongue as you are not a clan head and cannot address me in such a fashion." Koharu retorted finally starting to lose her cool composed demeanor.
"I am so a clan head for your information and am engaged to the heir apparent of the Uzumaki clan. I am also their sensei and will not be addressed by a bumbling fool on a foreign council. I will not sit here and have me and my students insulted!" Kikiyo anger spurred her on.
"Please ladies… We do not want a fight here." Danzou stated with calculated ease, earning him glares from Kikiyo, Mikoto, and Koharu. "We are here as a inquiry dealing with a mission that while a success there were several issues. Sasuke Uchiha will be punished for his transgressions. I am also going to put forth a motion for us to eliminate or change the marriage laws. No female should be raped so that a male can join their clan." Danzou stated plainly, this caught all the women's attention.
"You mean that is how Konoha law is now?" Tsume asked with worry in her eyes.
"Yes I am afraid that it is so. We should allow for entry into a clan through more sane means. If a woman willing takes a partner than they can enter the clan even if the clan opposes it. The same will be for a male taking a partner. This way the individual will determine who they are to marry not the clan. Arranged marriages will still be allowed of course, but not forcible entry." Danzou stated.
"I second the motion!" Tsume yelled her support.
"All in favor of changing the laws?" Sarutobi asked to a near unanimous chorus of 'Aye's'. "Motion passed now back to Kakashi's actions. He has injured and nearly killed Naruto a citizen of Konoha and a shinobi of Uzu. Usually injuring a citizen without prior authorization is grounds for execution especially if they are attempting murder. What is the council's opinion?" Sarutobi asked with a determined look on his face.
"He is receiving help from his new clan so we should be lenient." The Haruno representative stated but appeared to ulterior motives for her statement.
"Burn him to ashes or feed him to my dogs." Tsume chimed in.
"I feel that Kakashi will feel deep remorse soon and may even take his own life but we cannot have that. He is too valuable to this village and to my clan for that. So in that vein I am proposing that he and Sasuke do charity work for Uzu for a year's time. If he does enter his team into the chunin exams then that time will be added onto the end of the punishment. Does that sound reasonable?" Mikoto inquired as she bowed to Naruto. "My son may not regret his actions now but he will. Trust me he will, Kohaku and I will make sure of that. As for Hatake, Akane and I will make sure he also regrets his actions." Mikoto again bowed to Naruto.
Naruto was not sure what to do. 'Hinata-chan, Baa-chan, what should I do? I don't know what to do.' Naruto thought as he sighed heavily.
'Naruto-kun I do not know as the council seems divided and you have the support of most clans and Danzou, I do not trust him, especially after how he acted in Uzu.' Hinata replied in her thoughts.
'Kill all those that oppose you and fix the problems here in Konoha. They deserve no less. We deserve revenge for how we were treated. I want to see the blood of those who have wronged you. As I stated before I do not trust the Konoha Uchiha. This Mikoto intrigues me but I am not sure if we can trust her so I say kill them all and let Kami sort out the innocents.' Kyuubi replied with a chuckle.
Naruto shook his head. "It is still not enough."
"What would you like Naruto-san? Public executions for all those who have wronged you?" Shin Haruno inquired.
"Executions would be what the Kyuubi wants. No, I want to see the wrongs righted. How do you propose to fix what was done to me? The son of your last Hokage. I also want to know what happened to my mother. Again I want answers before I decide what I want." Naruto answered.
"So we are to submit to the whims of a boy who claims abuse." Shin Haruno nonchalantly stated as he rolled his eyes.
Naruto's eyes turned red with slits. "Claims of abuse! I was abused, attacked and nearly killed!"
Shin again rolled his eyes as he set his chin on his hands folded above the table. "You maybe the child of a Hokage but you are still a demon in human skin. Look at his eyes, that is proof."
"I am a jinchuuriki! My father sacrificed his life to save your sorry ass! Maybe I should let Kyuubi-chan have one last life as you apparently would not be missed as you lowly council member! Also you do not even know what it is like to be me! What is the saying? 'Walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you judge them'. You wouldn't have lasted past my second birthday, bastard!" Naruto seethed with anger and contempt.
"You do not scare me anymore for you cannot kill me without causing a war." Shin stated arrogantly.
Sarutobi smirked this put all the council members on their guard except for Shin. "You claim he is the demon herself? Naruto-kun please let her talk for herself through you." Sarutobi gently urged.
Naruto nodded and his features changed. His hair became wilder, his whisker marks darkened and widened, his canines lengthened, and his eyes began to glow. "Shut your mouth lousy worm! My kit has stayed my hand for a long time and was able to calm me. The accursed Uchiha brought my wrath upon your miserable village, Minato and those that supported him should have left the village to me and then come back to rebuild after I left. Your blind stupidity and unwillingness to see what was right before you shows how unworthy you are to live." Naruto smiled a devious grin. "I remember you now…"
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A/N: What did Shin Haruno do to Naruto? Will he die? What is Danzou up too? Will the elders die? Will there be war for Konoha? Find out in the next chapter… Sorry for the cliffhanger I will be getting the next chapter to my beta's as quickly as I can.
Thanks for the help from my beta readers: Volpes, Exantos, Allan Pike, and the others. :D