A/N: So here I am…back waaay later than what I intended…not that surprising huh? Yeah, didn't think so. Ahem! Due to unforeseen circumstances, my time spent on this story was temporarily…distracted…until recently because it is apparently illegal in the State of Ohio to have fun on the 4th of July. I can now, however, declare on my resume that I am a master boat builder and—in my opinion—a pirate in the eyes of the State of Ohio. But I digress, the point is the chapter is up now and its…okay I guess. Feelin' a little "meh" on it and waaaay more interested in the next chapter *grins maniacally* which should be out in a few days (serious this time, half of it is already done!)
The results are in folks and as expected Frankenslime was a huge success! Can't tell you how many times my family looked at me strangely when I burst into laughter after reading a line. Also, you all seem to enjoy the pervy Hinata which I admit is fun to write as well. You guys get a bit more of that this chappie!
Last Time: While Hinata, Tenten, and Karin bond over a shopping excursion and gossip over the important things in life something far more morbid was happening at the Uzumaki residence. Naruto, Jihibiki, Renge, Neji, and the mad scientist Sai battle the impure monster known only as Frankenslime. Using a wide variety of ninjutsu, fuinjutus, and flailing, the group was finally able to defeat the hideous beast...but at a cost. The living room couch was forced to sacrifice its life in the line of duty, dealing a devastating blow to both Sai and Karin. With the apartment nothing more than a burning pile of rubble, Tsunade decided it was finally time for Naruto to receive his inheritance and the group made their way to his parents home/mansion. The group now finds themselves in the midst of a very colorful and informative tour.
Chapter 34: Whirlpool
Naruto had officially decided it. If the outside of the house was amazing then the inside was unreal.
After much insistence from Hinata they explore the inside, Naruto opened the front door and the group proceeded to look around in awe. Apart from being absolutely spotless, Naruto was shocked to find the entire first floor completely open. To the back of the house was a large kitchen with polished black granite countertops and a matching island bar. Coming out from that and taking up the left side of the room was a large dark mahogany table which could seat at least ten people as well as a matching buffet against the wall. On the right side of the room the floor dropped down two steps into a spacious pitted living room complete with a large couch, which Karin and Sai both noticed immediately, love seat, large coffee table, and a massive big screen TV on the wall.
Naruto also realized that each section had a different colored wall. The living room was red, the dining room was orange, and the kitchen was a faint yellow. It was weird but at the same time seemed to flow. And in the center of the open room was a massive, beautifully hand carved yew staircase leading up to the second floor.
"Well I wasn't expecting this kind of layout," Naruto said slowly taking it all in.
"Don't like the open floor plan?" Renge asked cocking an eyebrow.
"Just figured there'd be more, I dunno…" Naruto gave a shrug, "walls."
Jihibiki walked to the left of the door and put his hand on the wall. "Ya mean like this?"
A low flash enveloped the entire left side of the house and when Naruto looked again his eyes nearly bugged out of his head. A traditional paper wall now blocked his view of the dining room and the left half of the kitchen, save for a single doorway leading to the designated eating room.
"A-Amazing." Hinata breathed out.
"The entire floor is like this," Renge said as she went to the right and touched a section of the wall. The same thing happened on the right side and the group suddenly found themselves standing in a hallway with two doorways leading to the either room and a staircase at the end.
"This is simply ingenious." Neji said with an appreciative smile.
"Whose idea was this?" Karin asked, turning to Renge.
"It's actually standard when it comes to Uzumaki households." The elderly red head said touching the wall again and this time the last half of the wall disappeared. "How it never caught on here is beyond me, it makes preparations for guests and parties so much easier."
Walking over to Jihibiki, Naruto inspected the area where he'd activated the wall and found a small sealing kanji with the trademark Uzumaki swirl in the center. Placing his finger on it, Naruto pushed chakra through it and watched as the entire wall disappeared, leaving that half of the floor open once again. Naruto couldn't help the smile that spread across his face, "This is pretty cool!"
"It's not just the walls either." Jihibiki said as he motioned for everyone to follow. Placing his hand on the table, Jihibiki made it disappear in a puff of smoke. Flipping through three seals he then stomped his foot and the table reappeared. "Everything in this house that isn't directly attached to the walls or floor is capable of being sealed away for more space."
Noticing Karin and Sai's furtive glancing, Naruto let out a chuckle and said, "Well go ahead guys, we might as well split up and explore a little."
His chuckle turned into full blown laughter when his two surrogate siblings both darted for the couch, even going as far as to having a mock slapping spar on the way there to see who could claim the right for the first sit. Naturally, Karin won.
Karin: 3, Sai: 1
As Neji and Renge went to go join the two who were checking out the living room, Jihibiki shuffled over to Naruto and whispered with a conspiratorial smirk, "Up the stairs, the double doors straight ahead."
"Huh?" Naruto asked, his face contorting in utter confusion as he turned to his grandfather.
Getting a subtle nod from Jihibiki to the person standing behind him, Naruto quickly glanced over his shoulder and saw Hinata shifting from one foot to the other as if she were waiting impatiently for something. Her lavender eyes darted around the room and she wore a soft blush as she fidgeted with her hands. Turning back to his grandfather, Naruto saw Jihibiki giving him a knowing grin that somehow appeared serious at the same time.
"There's only one room in this house that girl is interested in seeing." Jihibiki said quietly and discreetly pointed towards the stairs. "And that room is the one I just told ya to go look at." He gave a wink and gentle pushed him in the direction of the heiress, "Go on, I'll keep the others busy."
Confused out of his mind by the old man's sudden strange behavior, Naruto shuffled over to Hinata and offered his arm to her.
"Would you like to check out the upstairs, Hime?" He asked with a smile.
Hinata's face darkened considerably and she clung to his arm as if it were a lifeline. Not trusting her voice, she nodded vigorously and kept her eyes glued to the floor as they made their way silently to the stairs and ascended them—the entire time struggling to maintain her grip on the conscious world as her thoughts rapidly flowed from PG to X rated. It took everything she had to keep her nose from bleeding as she secretly felt the blonde's bulging bicep that her fingers were so eagerly determined to explore.
Coming to a stop, Hinata realized they were standing in front of a huge set of thick double doors. Glancing to the side, she noticed that the entire second floor was open as well with four doors not including the pair they were standing in front of—along with the staircase continuing on to a third floor. The wall on the front of the house actually didn't exist, instead replaced with a massive window which allowed in copious amounts of natural lighting. There also appeared to be two arm chairs and a coffee table in front of the window making it look like lounge area, and the walls in that area were lined with bookshelves. Making a quick mental note as a potential place to curl up with a good book, Hinata turned her attention back to the doors which Naruto was now opening.
Turning the latches at the same time, Naruto gave a small grunt of effort and pushed the heavy doors open. Swinging silently on their hinges, the doors parted to reveal the entire back end of the second floor was actually the master bedroom.
Naruto gaped as his eyes roamed over the room. The entirety of it was covered in a navy blue plush carpet; something he happily noted would keep his feet warm in the winter. The walls were a deep red giving the room a dark, cozy, intimate atmosphere even though the far end of the room opened up to a giant balcony overlooking the back of the estate. To the left was a massive stone fireplace, above which the Uzumaki and Namikaze emblems were carved into the stone. But the most impressive feature was the right side of the room.
There, against the wall, was a king size four poster bed—complete with a navy blue comforter, yellow pillows, and a yellow sheer canopy as well.
Naruto nearly burst into tears at the beauty he was beholding. Never in his life would he have ever dreamed of owning a king sized bed, and now he had his very own. The colors would certainly have to change but until he had a chance to redecorate he'd survive—comfortably at that. It was during this thought something clicked, and a realization dawned on Naruto.
"That perverted old bastard! When I get my hands on him…" His thoughts trailed off as his scowl was quickly replaced with a crimson blush. "W-Wait a minute. Does she r-really want t-to see this room?!"
Chancing a peek, Naruto glanced to the side and nearly passed out from blood loss. Standing next to him and panting slightly, a blushing Hinata stood next to him with her eyes transfixed on the bed while holding a finger up to her lips.
Hinata was doing her best to control her emotions, she really was. But her heart just wouldn't calm down. Her face was burning up. And for some reason she just couldn't seem to get enough air into her lungs. Not to mention the fire burning in her stomach, a desire begging for release she knew the man standing next to her was only capable of giving her.
Suppressing a shudder of excitement that ran down her spine, Hinata rubbed her legs together in an attempt to repress the lust she building up rapidly. "Th-This is quiet the bedroom isn't it," she said walking into the room. She feigned interest by looking around the room but kept her feet moving towards the bed. "I've never seen anything like it b-before."
"Y-Yeah." Naruto said with a nod. He let out a chuckle and nervously rubbed the back of his head. "The room is sweet but the colors are definitely gonna have to change."
Naruto followed behind Hinata and suddenly he found himself in an internal struggle: his eyes drawn to Hinata's perfectly formed butt accented by the ninja pants that seemed to strain against it, while his will demanded he look away. Needless to say his will was deteriorating...quickly.
"DAMMIT, WHY CAN'T I LOOK AWAY?!" Naruto thought as his head seemed to bob with every step the heiress took.
"You think that's bad?" Kurama asked with a grin. "Give it a second."
Naruto was about to ask what he meant when he suddenly felt a trace of the demon's chakra surge out of the seal. He felt the warm chakra slowly work its way through his system until it finally settled in his nose. He then abruptly found himself floored with the most tantalizing scent he'd ever inhaled. Distinct, almost musky, and the slightest hint of sweat but not putrid, Naruto's eyes glazed over and his body went into an autopilot overdrive as he moved without thought. His own breathing quickened and he could feel his face flushing while in the pit of his stomach a fire ignited into a roaring inferno. Taking another deep breath, he could practically see the trail of the odorant making its way across the room to Hinata. However, his mind froze when he realized just where the smell was coming from.
"I-Is that coming from w-where I think it is?!" Naruto shouted at Kurama while he averted his gaze from the Hyuuga heiress' round and now extremely succulent ass.
"A little slow on the uptake aren't we?" Kurama chided evilly. "You realize she's always smelled like that when she is around you for long periods of time."
"Then why didn't I ever notice before?" Naruto said fighting a losing battle to keep his pants at a comfortable pressure. "I'd say that's a pretty distinct fucking smell!"
"Covered it up with perfumes? She doesn't naturally smell like lavender and vanilla you know."
"Wise ass."
"Inexperienced monkey."
"Catty bitch."
"You wanna fucking go?!"
"Let's do it! You and me, right now, no holding back!" Naruto shouted while raising a finger up. And suddenly the rest of the world came rushing back when he heard Hinata gasp and saw her staring at him with blush the color of a tomato. "Err…"
"N-Naruto-kun th-th-this is s-so s-s-sud-den!" Hinata said leaning against one of the posts of the bed desperately for support. Her hands wouldn't stop fidgeting as one hand tried to pull her jacket down further while the other seemed to be pulling at the collar in an attempt to get more air. The only thing she succeeded in doing was make her heaving cleavage stick out. "I-I m-m-mean we h-haven't even k-kissed y-y-yet. I d-d-didn't even kno-ow you f-felt tha-t way!"
Not that she hadn't been fantasizing about it ever since she stepped foot into the room. She had spied four black rings drilled into the posts of the bed and she had a slight inkling as to what they were intended for, causing her hips to quiver in even more excitement. Excitement that was not needed since she was more than positive she needed a new pair of underwear.
Naruto's eyes bulged out of his head at Hinata's implications. "I-I…well th-that is…um…" Naruto struggled to find the words, the entire time Kurama laughing his ass off and taunting him.
"Who's got two thumbs and folds like a lawn chair? This guy!"
"N-N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked when she saw Naruto's face flush even more.
"…F-Fox…" Naruto stammered out.
"Fox?" Hinata wondered. "That doesn't make any sense at all…Wait! What if th-th-that's some kind of e-exotic p-p-position!"
Hinata's world began to spin and she her feet failed her. Sliding off the post, she fell backwards onto the bed with a mix between a moan and a gasp.
"H-Hinata!" Naruto said quickly closing the distance. "A-Are you okay?"
Hinata's world slowly came back into focus and she found a pair of cerulean eyes scrutinizing her with worry. It made a warmth spread through her chest she knew only he could cause because of the concern he always had for her. The way those eyes sparkled just for her when he turned them in her direction. God how she wanted those eyes to stay on her forever!
"H-Hinata-chan, are you o-okay?" Naruto asked again while bringing a hand up and gingerly touching her cheek with the back of it.
A soft smile spread across her pale rosy cheeks as her own hand came up and gently touched his cheek. "Keep looking at me like that and I will be," she whispered through half lidded eyes.
"Hinata…" Naruto said as his own eyes began to close. He could feel her hand practically dragging him down to meet her lips despite the light touch
"Move over!"
"Don't push!"
"I can't see!"
"Too bad, I'm the one taking the picture!"
"If ya don't shut up we'll get—" The latch to the door clicked open as someone leaned on it and with a collective cry the rest of the visiting party fell into the room with a loud crash. At the same time three different flashes went off from the cameras Jihibiki, Sai, and Tsunade were holding.
"Caught…" Jihibiki said with a sheepish smile.
Naruto's eyes narrowed. His mouth became a taunt, narrow line. His eyebrow twitched uncontrollably. He opened his mouth to unleash hell but instead he was thrown to the side as Hinata sat up rigid with a look of unholy rage on her face.
"What the HELL does someone have to do to get some GOD DAMN privacy from you people?!" She all but screamed before she took notice of the photography equipment. "Are those cameras? Where the hell did you get those from?!"
Everyone blinked once together in shock before Renge said, "Ah…"
"GET OUT!" Hinata bellowed as a wall of shuriken and kunai appeared in thin air and quickly went sailing towards the group of peepers.
The group let out a yelp and leapt back out the door while slamming the door closed behind them. Not a moment too soon either as the sound of about twenty sharp objects thudded into the thick door.
"Well that was…terrifying." Tsunade said with a snicker as she dusted herself off.
"Where did she get all of those weapons from?" Neji asked look at the door in shock. He had never seen his cousin explode like that before and quite frankly, it scared him.
"I think the better question is where was she keeping them?" Jihibiki asked. A second later a dopy grin spread across his face and he giggled. It lasted for a second before a staff smashed into his head and sent him careening down the staircase.
"Pervert," Renge said as she resealed her staff and dusted her hands.
"Says the person who just tried to watch their grandson get it on," Karin said dryly.
Back in the bedroom, Hinata was boring a hole in the double doors with her glare. "Honestly," she muttered, "I can't tell if they're trying to get us together or tear us apart!"
"Huh?" Naruto asked, dazed from his spot on the floor
"Nothing," she reached down and yanked him to his feet and started dragging him towards the door. "Let's go catch up with them before they do anything else uncouth."
The rest of tour went on without anything else antagonistic happening. The group finished their ascent and went up to the third floor, which was nothing more than a roofed tower and instead of walls there were guardrails. It did, however, give a beautiful view of the entire estate grounds as well as the village. And since the estate was located on the same cliff as the Hokage Monument only off to the side to ensure privacy from the constant foot traffic, they could see the faces as well. Heading back down to ground level and continuing out the back of the house quickly had all of the girls screaming in excitement and Naruto whooping for joy.
The roofed walkway that wrapped around the entirety of the house gave way to a large deck with a built in hot spring off to the right and a mini bar to the left. Further on out was a combined dojo and meditation temple and training grounds as well.
"This is all so amazing." Naruto said as he took the scenery in.
"It's breathing taking and beautiful," Karin said with the biggest smile and tears in her eyes. She was so happy to finally have a home!
"It is indeed impressive," Sai said with a nod, "but where is that running water coming from that I hear?"
"You mean the hot springs?" Neji asked pointing to said water.
"No, I hear it too." Naruto said straining his ears. "It's out there further, beyond the forest."
The weathered Uzumakis looked at each other and both let out a sigh. Renge then turned to Naruto and said, "That is our last stop, follow us."
"Please keep your voices down as well," Jihibiki said solemnly. The tone had the desired effect as the group quickly calmed down and followed obediently behind the two.
Walking to the back of the estate where the thick forest began, they followed a narrow stone path that twisted and turned for about a hundred meters. With every step the group took the sound of rushing water became louder until finally they broke through the tree line and came to another clearing. Everyone save for Renge and Jibibiki let out a soft gasp at what they saw.
In the center of the clearing was a three story pagoda, the bottom floor free of walls and extending out over a giant pond. It was red and blue, just like the house and once again beautifully crafted—but that wasn't what drew the surprise and awe from the group. It was the pond itself. Or rather, what was in the pond since it wasn't really a pond at all—but a giant, fast moving whirlpool and at the center of it was a small island with a polished black marble stone much like the Hero's Monument.
"What is this place?" Naruto asked quietly.
As they continued to move down to the pagoda, Jihibiki answered, "This is the final resting place for all our Uzumaki kinsmen."
The group continued quietly down to the open temple, entered, and walked out over the water to the back handrail. Once they reach there, Jihibiki made six hand seals and pressed his hand to the rail. To everyone's surprise, there was an audible click and a section of the railing swung away like a gate allowing access to the swirling whirlpool which was only a step below.
"This is the only point in which you may access the shrine." Jihibiki said, his voice sounded heavy and the memories of grief showed on his face. "If you tried to get to the monument any other way the Shinigami would be dragging you to hell before you were knew you were dead."
"The Hokage is required to have knowledge of at least 1,001 jutsus." Renge said as she stepped up to the open gate and looked over at the group. "This monument protected by that many seals."
The old red head left the safety of the floor and stepped out onto the raging waters, earning a cry of despair from the entire group. However, upon seeing her not being swept away Naruto realized the water had calmed to a beautiful, mirrored still and perfectly rounded, flat, black stepping stones had risen out of the water leading to the island.
"I'm sorry but from here on only members of the Uzumaki may continue." Jihibiki said giving Hinata and Sai an apologetic look.
"W-We understand." Hinata said with an understanding smile, yet the hint of underlying concern was evident.
"We'll be right back," Karin said to Neji and with that she and Naruto followed Jihibiki and Renge out to the small island.
It was a little cramped on the island as they crowded around the black stone. The monument was just a little shorter than Naruto and came to a blunt point at the top, allowing him to see an Uzumaki seal swirling up to the top. Naruto was a little confused by this and even more so by the unblemished surface of the stone. He figured if it was like the Hero's Monument then names would be carved into it. Yet here the stone sat, untouched, with only a seal on the top.
"Expecting a bit more?" Jihibiki asked as his eyes seemed to dance with knowledge only he possessed.
"A little bit, yeah." Naruto conceded.
His grandfather smirked and gently placed his hand upon the surface of the stone. "Warring States Era," he intoned.
Naruto and Karin watched wide eyed as hundreds of names began to appear in red over every inch of the stone as if the kanji were be written then and there. Not a single space was left blank, save for the middle where a line was drawn dawn the center dividing the names into two columns.
Renge saw their confusion and answered, "The left side represents the line of Uzumaki who ruled as the Uzukages, fought under them, or lived in the village while the right represents the royal line that ruled the Land of Whirlpools or served under the Daimyo." Reaching out she did the same as her husband and said, "Founding Era."
The names disappeared and new ones took their place, only with two distinct differences. The first was the number of names that appeared which were only a few hundred. The second was the names appeared in white kanji this time.
"Each color represents a time period in our history," Renge explained. "White for the Founding Era, red for the Warring States Era, green for the Prospering Era, purple for the Nomad Era, and black for…"
"Fall of Uzushiogakure…" Jihibiki said quietly and touched the monument one last time.
Karin gasped and felt tears form as she watched name after countless name carve its' way into the stone. They were written significantly smaller so they could fit the thousands of names that appeared. Names even appeared on the sides and back of the monument as well; a testament to just how many lost their lives during the eradication of the clan.
"This era is the only one that can't be fit on the front of the monument." Jihibiki said as his face hardened. His fists balled up and clenched together in anger as he glared at the names on the cold surface before him. "Men, women, children…all murdered because of an irrational fear. All because they couldn't understand. Because they were too greedy."
Renge moved to her husband and wrapped him in a loving hug—the old man burying his face in her neck as he tried his best to repress the pain and sobs. She glanced over at Naruto and Karin and saw that the blonde was hugging the red head and comforting her as well. They may not have been there when the city burned, but the heavy presence that filled the atmosphere could be felt and understood by the younger generation.
"You asked me when we first met, Naruto, why it took us so long to come and find you," Renge said softly drawing his attention. "It's because we'd been collecting the remains of all our fallen clansmen both in Uzu and abroad—as well as tracking down the remainders of the clan that were scattered. I know it might not seem fair to neglect the living to tend to the dead, but death in our clan is steeped in tradition. We razed entire villages to the ground to retrieve our fallen kinsmen's bodies during the Warring States Era." Looking back at the stone she said softly, "Scattered to the tides we may be, but in death we shall be as one."
"I understand," Naruto said looking down at Karin and giving her a reassuring but sad smile. "I'm not exactly happy with that reasoning, but I understand."
The two of them had gone through hell after all because their grandparents were busy tending the dead. They could have found them, taken them along and learned from the elders while helping, but it was in the past now and they were finally all together. And in Naruto's opinion, that's what was most important.
"About the remaining members," Naruto said, leaving the question open.
Renge shook her head and looked down. Jihbiki finally gained some semblance of control over his emotions and straightened up, wiping his eyes and clearing his throat before saying, "We scoured the entirety of the elemental nations and by the end of it, there were only three left remaining—two of which were you."
"Who's the third?" Karin asked.
"Naruto knew him," Renge said with a sad smile. "In fact, he's the whole reason Naruto is hailed as a hero now."
"Nagato," Naruto breathed out with a sigh.
"You don't seem too surprised, you knew?" Jihibiki asked.
"I had a suspicion we may have been related."
"You were—he was a grandson of my brother's." Jihibiki said with a nod
"What about me?" Karin asked. "I'm I related to anyone other than being an Uzumaki?"
Renge smiled happily at her. "You're related to both Naruto and I dear. You are my precious baby sister's granddaughter."
"Who was your sister?" Naruto asked.
Renge shifted uncomfortably at the question and him-hawed around on the question before finally saying, "Uzumaki Mito."
Karin perked up at the name, it sounded familiar to her for some reason but she couldn't quite place it. She glanced over at Naruto to see if he recognized the name and found him pinching his nose while taking multiple deep breaths. After a moment, he spun on his heels and started making his way back across the pond.
"N-Nii-sama?" Karin asked, confused by his reaction. "Do you know it she is?"
"Yes," the blonde said evenly.
Looking at the elders questioningly, Karin then turned and quickly followed after Naruto.
Renge then looked at Jihibiki and sighed, "This is going to suck."
"Which part?" Jihibiki asked with a grin. "Having to explain why we're still alive or having to be reminded of just how old we really are."
Renge shot him a withering glare and followed briskly after her grandson and grandniece leaving her husband by himself. Chuckling once, he looked at the stone with a rueful smile and then turned and followed.
When Naruto reached the pagoda again he was met with the anticipated looks of the remainder of the group. However, upon seeing his face they parted way and allowed him to continue his trek back the way they came. Sensing something was wrong, Hinata quickly hurried after him.
"Naruto-kun, is everything okay?" She asked.
"Not here," was all he said as he continued to walk. Hinata stopped in her tracks and stared at him as he continued his even pacing back up the stone path.
Moments later Karin appeared next her and quickly followed after him. "Naruto-nii, who was she?" She asked trying to keep her voice from sounding too much like a whine.
"What is going on?" Tsunade asked as the rest of the group brought up the rear.
"Eh, you'll find out soon enough." Renge said with a sigh as she walked past them with her husband in tow.
Naruto was silent the rest of the way back to the house, and when the group finally broke through the tree line again they found him waiting with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. The group came to a stop before him and suddenly everyone found themselves feeling like a child waiting to be scolded by an angry parent.
He said nothing until Renge finally sighed in submission and said, "Ask the question."
"HOW THEFUCK ARE YOU TWO STILL ALIVE?!" Naruto exploded, waving his hands in the air. "Seriously?! Your sister? She was married to the First Hokage!"
"What?" Everyone shouted at the same time looking at Renge in shock.
"I mean, Baa-chan is already old as hell!" Naruto said.
"Why you little…" Tsunade muttered as her eyebrow began to twitch.
"But you two," he then gestured to his relatives, "you two should be nothing but dust and bones! Just how old are you?!"
"148 and Jihibiki is 152." Renge said with a sigh. The group stared at the elderly Uzumaki in shock and even Naruto found himself unable to say anything.
"Yes but you don't look a day over 125, dear." Jihibiki said with a chuckle and patted his wife on the back.
"Asshole," she gruffed as she swatted his hand away. She then turned to Tsunade, "Don't act so surprised brat! We were in the village long enough to check on Kushina-chan and for me to train Hiashi-kun. Surely you had an idea of how old we were!"
"I thought you were Sarutobi-sensei's age." Tsunade said shaking her head. "If you're grandma's sister, then that makes us related as well."
"Renge-sensei?" Hinata asked getting her attention. "Does this mean that Naruto-kun and Karin-chan will live as long as you?"
"No dear," Jihibiki answered. "Renge and my longevity are attributed to more…convoluted circumstances."
"And those would be?" Karin asked.
He glanced at Renge who shook her head. "Sorry sweetie, but not only is it a closely guarded clan secret—but its' also something that we don't feel comfortable talking about…" His demeanor dimmed somewhat, "Even after all these years."
"Well that's a relief," Naruto said quickly with a sigh, breaking the uncomfortable tension. If they didn't feel like they were ready to tell then he wouldn't pry…yet. "There's no way in hell I want to live that long! Can you imagine all the problems you'd have at that age?"
The group burst into laughter while Jihibiki just grinned. "I don't know…it's rather enjoyable being able to meet your descendants so far down the line."
"I have to agree with him," Renge said with a proud grin. "I'm so happy I finally got to meet both Kushina and Mito's legacies."
Naruto and Karin both smiled at the elders before the latter's face scrunched up. She looked at Naruto and then back at the old couple. "Speaking of legacies," she said cocking her eyebrow, "why is Naruto-niisama just now learning about his inheritance? Shouldn't he have gained this sooner since his parents left it to him?"
"Yes and no," Tsunade said stepping forward. "Let's go grab a seat and I'll explain."
The group headed back to the house and after unsealing some deck furniture, much to Naruto's excitement, Tsunade raided the cabinets of the bar until she found some cups and sake. After everyone had a drink and was situated, Tsunade got comfortable and began.
"By law, Naruto should've received the rights to this estate when he made genin." Tsunade said. "However, due to who his parents were his identity as well as his inheritance were withheld until he was deemed strong enough to face all possible threats."
"My identity I can understand," Naruto said sitting back and folding his arms, "but this is just a house and land. Why keep that from me?"
"One of the first things I reviewed when I came back to the village was a proposal Sarutobi-sensei had written and was planning to approve of involving you." Tsunade said. "In it, he was planning on turning the estate as well as all of your parents properties over to you after you completed the chuunin exams—pass or fail…I immediately rejected it."
"Why?" Karin asked.
"Think about dear," Renge explained, "the property and house are riddled with security seals as well as variety of others. Not to mention the seals in the library archives and vault. Naruto-kun had no previous knowledge of seals and would've more than likely hurt or even killed himself upon exploring the house."
"Exactly," Tsunade said with a nod. "I remembered how dangerous seals could be from grandpa and grandma, so until I could find someone to train you a little on them you would have to go without your due inheritance."
"And I take it that's where ero-sennin came in?" Naruto guessed while taking a sip of his sake.
"Yep, one of his jobs while you two were away was to teach you in fuinjutsu." Tsunade nodded. "However, things quickly spiraled out of control when you two returned which left me with no time to properly give it to you."
Naruto folded his arms again and slight frown appeared. He wasn't exactly buying what his adoptive mother was saying, but the more he thought about it the more he realized she was right. As soon as he got back there was the Suna incident with Gaara. Then right afterwards was the Sasuke retrieval attempt followed by his elemental training in wind chakra. And right after that there was his sage training before ultimately ending with the Pain invasion.
Nodding his head in concession he said, "I don't like it, but it's understandable and true. We were both stretched thin for time."
"So now what?" Hinata asked, looking at the group. "N-Naruto-kun knows about his parents, his past, and has finally received his inheritance."
"We'll start his training in the expert level fuinjutsu next," Jihibiki said. Taking a swig of his sake he then added, "But for now there's only one thing to do."
"And what is that?" Neji asked a slight hint of concern in his voice.
Jihibiki and Renge looked at each other and grinned before they both shouted out at the same time, "Party!"
"W-What?" Hinata asked and instinctively wrapped her arms around herself.
"You heard us!" Renge said grinning ear to ear. "We didn't spend the past two weeks cleaning this baby up for it to just sit here! We're gonna christen this place the proper, Uzumaki, way!" She then turned to Naruto, "And we've got one more surprise for you, so make some clones and have them tell all of your friends to be here at 5—I have a feeling you'll want them all here for this."
Naruto nodded and quickly made ten clones to go deliver the messages throughout the village. Turning his attention back to the group he grinned, clapped his hands together once, and rubbed them. "Well, shall we get ready?"
DARN! Another NaruHina moment destroyed! Why?! Why do you torment us so Retribution?! Because I feed on your misery dear readers! Mwahahaha!
Stay tuned, I think you'll be more than pleased with the payoff for those two :)