Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto not me … (Wouldn't mind borrowing it though.)
"Human talking"
"Human thinking"
"Demon or Summon talking"
"Demon or Summon thinking"
Jutsu in active use will be underlined
RE EDITED:
At the moment 61 year old Hiruzen Sarutobi absolutely hated himself. He hated how the council had pulled every damn trick they could to keep him from placing Naruto with young Yugao Uzuki who was a former student of Kushina Uzumaki and had requested to adopt Naruto once she learned of her sensei's death. It was too late now, Yugao's skills had continued to grow and she was currently undergoing initial Anbu training at 'the Pit' a hidden compound located on the other side of the Land of Fire.
He was pretty sure they were the cause of the ungodly amount of paperwork that tied up most of his time. Time that should have been spent looking after the injured child in the hospital bed in front of him. Before he could wallow further in self loathing a crane masked Anbu appeared in a bow to his right via smoke shunshin (body flicker).
"Hokage-sama, the council has called for an emergency meeting to take place 10 minutes from now." Crane informed.
"Crane, according to Ibiki's intel this man is possibly Root compromised. That means Danzo most likely threw his weight around and called this meeting himself" Sarutobi concluded. "Very well I'll be there shortly, dismissed"
As soon as he got to the last S Crane was already gone in the same fashion he arrived. "Dog" Sarutobi summoned.
"Hokage-sama?" Dog replied remaining in his hiding place.
"No one enters this room until I return, not even hospital staff do you understand?" Sarutobi commanded in a tone that left no room for argument.
"Hai Hokage-sama" was Dog's simple reply.
8 min later in the Council Chambers:
Sarutobi looked around and saw that unsurprisingly everyone except the Uchiha and Senju Clan heads were present. As he sat down he called for the meeting to commence even though he was sure that at least the civilian side had already been discussing certain topics.
"Lord Hokage we called this meeting to discuss the horrible events that have happened recently and to ask that certain measures be taken to ensure Konoha's safety." Kohara Utatane informed.
"I know that this is about Naruto so just cut to the chase."Sarutobi half sighed.
"The boy is becoming unstable. I propose that he be placed in my care until he graduates from the academy" Danzo Shimura (aka shady bastard) boldly stated.
"Oh and I'm sure you will raise Naruto in a caring, nurturing environment" Sarutobi replied mockingly.
"Well it's that or killing the thing! We can't allow it to go around ripping people to shreds!" shouted Koji Ohayashi, a civilian council member.
This led to an uproar in which everyone but Sarutobi and Shikaku Nara participated in. "SILENCE!" Sarutobi yelled, flooding the room with killing intent. "As long as there is breath in my body Naruto will never be one of Danzo's pawns nor will I allow him to be executed!" Sarutobi proclaimed causing most people in attendance to pause.
"I'm going to have to say something to get things moving again, how troublesome." Shikaku thought to himself. "Hokage-sama if I could make a suggestion?" He asked and continued at Sarutobi's nod. "What if we gave Naruto his own place to stay that was somewhat isolated from the villagers. We could give him a curfew of say… 9:30 or 10:00 at night that way he'll be safe and out of sight before 'certain people' are out on the street. Assigning someone to check in on him from time to time and give us updates wouldn't be a bad idea either. Who knows maybe Naruto will form some kind of bond with this person, after all a Jinchuriki with no positive bonds to their village is a dangerous thing" Shikaku warned.
"Thank Kami for you Shikaku" Sarutobi thought.
"Who is going to pay for this place and who do you propose we get to watch him" asked Hiroto Haruno who was the wealthiest merchant in Konoha. But before Shikaku could answer Sarutobi spoke up.
"The industrial district has multiple buildings that could be converted into an apartment or two. Funding could be drawn from multiple sources but if necessary my clan will handle it. As for who will be Naruto's guide it will obviously have to be a shinobi and I already have someone in mind" Sarutobi answered. "If I can get him to agree to the assignment then she won't be to far behind" He plotted cleverly. When no one decided to press the issue further one council member decided to change the topic of discussion.
"Hokage-sama if the village's police force wasn't in shambles last nights incident might have been avoided. I would like to propose that the Chunin and Special Jonin of the Hyuga branch family take over" Hiashi Hyuga suggested.
"That is fine for the short term, however in light of last month's tragedy I will be passing a law banning one clan from making up an entire public service. The Uchiha clan massacre has kept us without a police force for a whole month now. This can never be allowed happen again"
Hiashi, ever the politian did an admirable job hiding his displeasure at this. But Sarutobi had known the man since he was a Genin and could easily see through his mask.
"As you wish Hokage-sama"
"If there are no more issues that cannot wait until this councils scheduled meeting next week we are adjourned"
Meanwhile at the hospital:
Having been awake for the last 20 minutes or so Naruto was trying to decide what to do about his current situation. He was laying in a hospital bed with an IV that he probably didn't even need in his arm. But as annoying as that was, the fact that he was being watched was far more distressing.
He was doing his best to pretend like he hadn't noticed but he doubted he was succeeding. He was too jarred from everything that had just transpired to control the more subtle aspects of his body language. Seeing this Dog decided to try and calm the boy. "It's alright Naruto-kun I won't harm you. Your safe now"
"I'm never safe Anbu-san" Naruto answered quickly, exaggerating 'san' so that the Anbu would know that he didn't appreciate the 'kun' suffix being used behind his name. The tension in the room lessened however as the Hokage and a doctor entered the room.
"Ah Naruto-kun I see your finally awake"Sarutobi said with relief in his voice.
"What is it with these people acting like we're close or something. If this wasn't the Hokage I would have exploded just now. I'll have to try and keep myself in check while speaking to him" Naruto thought. Taking a deep calming breath he responded. "Hai Hokage-sama, I am feeling much better now. When will I be able to leave the hospital?"
"Well, I'm not sure Naruto-kun. How about we talk about what happened last night while doctor Kichida here gives you an exam?" Sarutobi asked.
Thinking quickly, Naruto told the Hokage about blacking out and going inside his mindscape. But he made it seem as though his visit with the fox was far briefer than it actually was. "So your saying that you blacked out, met a monster that said it was sealed inside you and asked if you wanted the power to protect yourself?" Sarutobi asked.
"Hai, when I said yes some kind of red light hit me and the next thing I knew I was back in that ally with a boot in my gut. They started talking about burning me alive and I…I just snaped." Naruto half lied, one of the many he would tell to not only this Hokage but the next.
"Naruto-kun you were only protecting yourself you didn't do anything wrong. Although I wish you hadn't used lethal force." Sarutobi said.
"Why, so the next idiot that tries to attack me thinks they will come out of it with a slap on the wrist?" Naruto asked himself. Doctor Kichida finished his examination, ended the diagnostic jutsu he was using and turned to address the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, I've never seen someone heal this quickly. The broken nose, ribs, and fractured patella have all mended completely. Even the bone calluses are receding which shouldn't be possible with out some kind of use of the injured bone. What's even more surprising is that there isn't any trace of his other injures. The bruises, the torn ligaments and cartilage, even the kidney trauma is gone without a trace" Kichida informed with absolute awe in his voice.
"So that means I can go right?" Naruto asked.
"Well because the use of the Kyu… um I mean the monsters chakra seems to have put a strain on your chakra network I think it would be best if you rested here for another day or two. I would also like to see you next Wednesday, after you are released from the academy for a check up" Kichida's requested.
"Ok" Naruto agreed.
"Naruto-kun I am going to speak with the doctor, I will be back shortly."Sarutobi said giving a reassuring smile to which Naruto only nodded.
Doctor Kichida's office:
"Well what do you think?" Sarutobi asked.
"Physically he his healing better than I had hoped. But mentally, (sighs and runs a hand through his hair) who knows. I would order a psych eval but I can't think of one psychologist on staff that could be trusted to handle the situation" Kichida replied in a defeated tone.
"I have a plan that will hopefully aid Naruto-kun in that regard. I'm just thankful that you don't share in the prejudice that has gripped the village" Sarutobi said with a small smile.
"Being the son of a seal master may have something to do with that. I over heard my father explain the difference between Jinchuriki and the demons they carry to Jiraiya-senpai as a child" Kichida said.
"That reminds me. Did you examine the seal like I asked?" Asked Sarutobi his smile being replaced by a more serious look.
"I couldn't find any sign of it weakening. But Hokage-sama, I must admit my skills are not quite on Jiraiya-senpai's level and not even close to Minato-kun's. Add that to the fact that I haven't seen the Shiki Fujin's (Dead Demon Consuming Seal) schematics I could be easily be missing something" Kichida replied truthfully.
"Well with Jiraiya-kun out of the village and your father and Minato-kun being gone you are the villages foremost seal master. If I didn't know how much you love practicing medicine I'd ask you to teach a few of my Jonin the art. Now let's go wrap things up with Naruto-kun, he's probably wondering about the monster he saw in his mindscape. " Sarutobi responded.
4 days later:
Naruto walked into his classroom in the academy seconds before the bell. Looking around he noticed that there were only two seats available. One in the row to his right beside the bug kid Shino and the other up front beside Sakura, who was to busy fawning over Sasuke to notice him.
"Why am I into her anyway? All she ever does is hit me when I try to be nice to her. Goes to show what being nice gets you" Naruto thought as he sat down next to Shino.
As the instructor began his lesson Naruto noticed that he was able to follow along and retain the info easier. "Did all of the chakra going through my network do something to my brain?" He wondered as he, for the first time in his year and 3 months in the academy began to jot down notes.
Paying attention in class caused the day to pass by quickly and the next thing he knew it was the second to last period which is the practical exercise portion of the school day and since it was Thursday it was sparing day. Naruto watched the matches and realized that he needed to learn some kind of fighting style besides the academy basic that he was learning because the clan kids that used their family's style absolutely demolished their opponents.
"Alright Ken Maeda and Naruto Uzumaki report to the sparing circle" Once there the instructor explained the rules like he did over and over every match. "No shots to the groin, no eye gouging. This will be a 5min spar; in order to win you must either make your opponent verbally forfeit or get them outside the circle. Do you understand these rules as I have explained them to you?" He asked.
"Hai sensei"
"Hai sensei"
"Alright begin" he commanded as he steped out of the ring.
At 4 feet, 78 pounds Ken Maeda was a big kid. Especially to Naruto's 3'6 - 53 pounds . If the rumors Naruto had heard were true then Ken was a year older than the rest of the class because he stared the academy late. But in Naruto's mind that still didn't excuse the fact that he was so Kami damn big.
He was a good dude though, having never picked on Naruto like 60% of the rest of the class.
"Lets do it Naruto" he stated in his deep slow drawl that others made fun of daily. Naruto nodded and took a defensive stance. Ken seeing this went on the charged and launched a haymaker that Naruto managed to dodge. He followed up with a back fist that, albeit slow still connected because it smashed through Naruto's block sending him to the ground.
"A blow from this kid is almost as bad one from those drunken idiots" Naruto thought to himself.
"Too damn big." He grumbled too quiet for anyone else to hear as he got to his feet. Ken being the slow thinking guy he was gave Naruto time to collect himself instead of pressing his attack. "Ok, he's strong and has a killer reach; I somehow doubt that I'll be able to deal any serious damage to him so how am I going to do this?" Naruto asked himself looking at his opponent, it was when he looked at Ken's feet which were right beside the edge of the circle that he got an idea.
"Ay freak, I was wondering, was your mom a huge like you? I bet she was huh? She probably died with a doughnut in her throat." Naruto taunted with a grin on his face. He knew that it was a douchey thing to do and felt remorse using the death of Ken's mother like this but didn't let it show. Over the last few days he had come to understand rage and knew that most people couldn't use it like he was learning to. Rage tended to engulf nice people like Ken rapidly while his was a slow but constant burn.
"Aaaaahh!" Ken yelled with his fist raised ready to turn Naruto's grinning face into paste. As he charged Naruto jumped back to the edge of the circle behind him .
When Ken reached him and swung that haymaker of his Naruto dodged down and left extending his right leg causing Ken to trip out of the circle. "Winner Naruto" The instructor announced, surprise at Naruto's victory clear on his face. However, before he could call for the next match he had to place Ken in a head lock to keep him from going after Naruto. "Practical Exercise is over for today. Everyone back in the class room now, no talking!" He yelled and the students not used to this particular teacher raising his voice quickly complied.
Later in the class room:
"Naruto come down here and apologize to Ken for insulting his mother" The teacher demanded.
"No" Naruto responded causing looks of disbelief passed though out the class room.
"And why not?" The teacher demanded through clinched teeth.
"Because I'm not sorry about the insult, I'm sorry Ken's mother died but since my taunt led to Ken losing focus and me winning the match I'm not going to lie to his face about being sorry for tricking him. All I did was use what was available to me to defeat someone who is a better fighter" Naruto finished.
"Naruto-kun what has happened to you?" A certain white eyed girl wondered to her self. Kiba Inuzuka couldn't keep his anger in check and yelled out.
"It wasn't fair you messed with his head!"
"He was physically superior so it was necessary" Naruto responded getting tired of defending himself.
"Ken go back to your seat" the teacher stated with a sigh.
"That's it? Naruto-baka isn't even going to be punished?" Sakura asked/demanded.
"Oh he will but I'm not going to be the one to decide his punishment the headmaster will. Naruto you are unwelcome in my classroom. When you come to school tomorrow you will report directly to the headmaster's office do you understand?" The teacher asked. Naruto nodded and left the room without looking back. If he had he would have noticed that amongst the sea of disapproving eyes a set of onyx ones looked at him with curiosity.
Next day:
Naruto entered of the Headmaster's office fully expecting to be suspended and assigned a new class. He was surprised however, when he noticed the man sitting behind the desk. "Your not the Headmaster." Naruto stated. The Headmaster was a chubby woman of roughly 40 years of age. This man had to be closer to 60. He had shaggy hair, bandages covering his forehead and right eye. He also had his robe situated around his right arm in a way that resembled a sling.
"Uzumaki-san my name is Danzo Shimura; I have a proposal for you"
Authors note: The next several chapters haven't been re-edited and may be a little difficult to read so please bare with me I'm working on it.