DISCLAIMER!: I DON'T OWN NARUTO! Thought you'd know that by now...
(A/N) WHAT UP Y'ALL? TIME FOR CHAPTER 11! Time Skip no Jutsu!
Cole smiled at the demon, "I can hold up to that promise. But, in return, when the time comes, I want you to help Naruto. I'm not telling you to give him power for free, I want him to earn it. But, just, don't shoot the kid down. Deal?"
"Deal." And with that, the deal was struck. And Cole drifted beck into sleep.
. . . .
Over the last three years, things began to change for Naruto and his adoptive father. Naruto learned to walk and talk. And walk and talk he did.
The kid became an almost infinite ball of questions and energy. He was always running around the estate and trying to get his father to teach him how to walk on walls. Cole, thinking that when the kid finally learned the wall walking and water walking techniques, he would have a even harder life ahead.
Cole hadn't changed much. He grew about an inch taller hit a solid 6' 3'' and had the beginnings of a beard forming . He was also a recognized fuinjutsu specialist in the village. He upgraded the barrier around the estate to where anyone without his permission were physically unable to enter. He also found a way to master the Animal path and had about five summons ready to use. He also came a very long way with his kenjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu skills. However, he still had difficulty with genjutsu.
Anko still came over whenever she had the chance. She loved every moment she would spend with the young adult and his son. She was also given the promotion to Tokubetsu Jonin. She had a blast in the interrogation corp.
She also found it hilarious to be a proctor for the chunnin exams. Getting to torture little hopefuls for her amusement was like a dream come true.
And Tanzo, well, with the money he was getting from selling the Uzumaki's weapons he was able to expand his shop and hire some employees. The weapons were called 'Oracle Brand Blades' and they were very popular among the shinobi of the village.
Tenten and Naruto also became the best of friends.
But some things never change. The civilians still had a major fear of Naruto and a still held contempt for Cole. The night of the killings was called the Kyuubi's Soul Harvest by most of the villagers.
But there were other issues that needed to be focused on. One's surrounding a certain treaty between the Hyuuga and Kumogakure.
. . . .
In council room Hiruzen was annoyed. Not for the usual reasons surrounding a certain Uzumaki and the public opinion of him, no. He was annoyed by the delegates from Kumo. They were arrogant and down right rude with the civilian councilmen and some of the lower clan heads. The usual pain in his neck was surprisingly quiet though. Oracle just kept a calculating look at the foreigners. Hiruzen even noticed a glare or two coming from the usually impassive man. And this disturbed him greatly. This probably meant that something was up.
Cole just listened to every word the foreign ninja were spouting from their mouths. "GOD! These guys are annoying! I need this meeting to end so I can warn the Hyuuga before they sign this treaty tonight." Cole thought to himself. About another hour passed before the ninja finally turned to Cole and took a look at his eyes. They were obviously intrigued and asked many questions. Cole just brushed them off with either insignificant answers or questions of his own. This annoyed the crap out of the delegates, but it also let him keep his secrets.
Once the meeting ended, Cole rose and quickly made his way to Hiashi, who at the moment was still speaking to the delegates. Once he got to him he pretended to loose his footing and bumped into the Hyuuga. "I-I-I'm so sorry Hiashi-san, I just lost my footing there, these tiles must be uneven or something. I'll see you at the next meeting," Cole said as he quickly bowed and left the room.
What only Hiashi and Cole knew, was from this little transaction, Cole slipped a note into Hiashi's Kimono. Hiashi was instantly intrigued by the fact the youth did this, but he already had an idea of what it was about. He didn't miss the looks the Uzumaki was giving the foreigners. Him being a Hyuuga and a master of reading emotions instantly knew the man held a strong distrust for their guests.
Once he left the room he looked at the note,
-"Hiashi-san,
If you didn't already know, I don't trust these men. Be very weary of them at your meeting. And I'll leave you with one warning. Whatever happens, DO NOT KILL ANY OF THEM! Take them alive at all costs. They are planning something. Keep your eyes open.
-The Oracle"
Hiashi instantly knew the youth was telling the truth. The usually unreadable man was openly giving him facial warnings as well as written ones. But what he didn't know, is why he a) told him not to kill them, and b) why he finished by calling himself 'The Oracle'?
He decided to worry about one issue at a time. Tonight, he would focus on the treacherous ninjas from Kumo.
. . . .
That night Hiashi met with one of the Kumo delegates. They talked for what seemed like hours and Hiashi was still wary of what the man could be planning. Their talk went on until they were interrupted. By none other that Hiashi's twin brother Hizashi. "Hizashi, what is the meaning of you interrupting this important meeting!?" Hiashi demanded in fake fury. Before the meeting began he had told Hizashi to purposely interrupt the meeting if there happened to be any foul play on Kumo's part.
The foreign nin fell for the trap. Within a mere second after the idiot's attention was switched from Hiashi to Hizashi, he was paralyzed by Hiashi. "Well, Hizashi, what did they attempt?" Hiashi asked his twin. "They tried to kidnap Hinata-sama." Hizashi replied with a slightly furious tone. His glare never left the partially conscientious Kumo nin. "Hiashi-sama, this is a unforgivable crime. Why have you told us not to kill the perpetrators?"
Hiashi, for his part, figured out pretty fast why the Uzumaki warned them about killing the men. Kumogakure could easily file complaint that the men did what they did on their own accord, and demand retribution for the insult of accusing them for such treachery. But with them alive, they could get confessions out of them, and have them testify. "Because, brother, it is the smart move. We can use them to further incriminate Kumo and get even better satisfaction from them," Hiashi explained.
Hizashi instantly recognized the logic to this claim and reconsidered his earlier statement. "That his most wise Hiashi-sama." Hiashi simply nodded at his brothers reply. He was still off set by the fact that his own twin never called him brother ever since he became clan head four years ago. Hizashi still had a distaste for the main branch ever since the caged bird seal was applied to him the day of his brothers assent. "Turn them into the military police, they will handle the rest." Hiashi said as he let out a tired sigh.
Hiashi didn't know it, but he had a little guardian angle watching over him that night. Or should we say, under him.
Cole was hiding in the ground using Dochu Eigyo. He heard every word of the meeting as well confirmed that none of the Kumo nin were killed in the attempt. Cole made his way home that night. Pleased that he was able to complete faze one of his little plan. The next faze, started in the meeting that morning.
. . . .
The next morning Cole found himself in the council room and the topic of the day just so happened to be the events of the night before. Hiruzen sent word to Kumo and demanded retributions for the actions of their shinobi. For the mean time, the foreign nin were put into prison and were under constant watch.
After the meeting, Cole was asked by a somewhat peeved Hiashi to speak to him for a moment. Hiashi pulled him down the hall of the building where no one could listen in on them. "How the hell did you know that would happen?" Hiashi hissed at the Uzumaki. Cole let out a slight smirk. "Well, here's something most don't know about me. My spy network is both large and effective," Cole lied. "Hell, some even compare it to Jiraiya-sama's spy network."
Hiashi just held a glare at the man. "I don't believe you Uzumaki-san." Cole shrugged his shoulders knowing the emotion seer would be able to pick up on the obvious lie. "I can't tell you here," Cole explained. "However, if we you were to invite me and Naru-chan over for dinner, I could explain the situation to you in private." Cole said as he looked at his hands, letting his somewhat suspicious tone do the job his eyes would have.
Hiashi's glare intensified before he conceded. He wanted, no, needed the information on how the Uzumaki knew of the plot. He did end up saving both his daughter and stopped possibly worse events that would have came if any of the Kumo nin had died. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "You and your son are to come tonight then?"
"That is acceptable Hiashi-san, and one more thing," Cole said. Now he looked a little embarrassed and scratched the back of his head as he turned and walked away. "I apologize now for what ever Naruto may do. He is a ball of hyper activity and a bottomless pit of questions." With that he left the Hyuuga standing there and made his way home to prepare for that night.
. . . .
"Aww, tou-san. Do we have to go get new clothes now?" Naruto wined. He hated shopping for clothes. He couldn't stand standing in one place for too long in general. Cole let out a dry laugh. "Yes Naru-chan, we need to get some more...tasteful clothes. We invited over to the Hyuuga compound for dinner after all and we need to impress them."
Naruto pouted for a second and mumbled, "This sucks, it's gonna be so boring..." Cole looked down at his adoptive son. "Now Naru-chan," he said in a reassuring tone. "It won't be all that bad. They have a couple of kids your age there...I believe their names are Hyuuga Hinata, and Hyuuga Neji. I'm sure you can make friends with them in no time." He finished with a smile. The thought of having the chance to make new friends seemed to brighten Naruto's mood. So far his only friends were Tenten and Kakashi. But Kakashi was a little old to call him a friend, more like a uncle or older brother figure.
Once they entered the shop, Cole noticed a small child with familiar pink hair sitting next a woman with light brown hair behind the counter. Cole raised a hand in greeting and said, "Hello, me and my son here are looking for a couple of formal Kimono's for an event we are going to tonight."
The woman went wide eyed at who she was seeing stroll into he small shop, the famous and feared Uzumaki clan head. She broke out of her stupor and hastily bowed to him and said, "It would be an honor to assist you Uzumaki-sama!" She hurried from behind the counter and took their measurements. Little Sakura was a little surprised by her mothers sudden urgency. She had never seen her act so respectful to anyone. She just stood back and stared at the new customer curiously. She was most intrigued by the older of the two. He was taller than anyone she had ever seen and had really long and shiny white hair. But what caught he eye the most was his strange eyes. She had never seen anyone with eyes like his before.
She also looked at the little boy who was about he age, but their wasn't anything to look at. Other than his funny looking whisker marks on his face.
Once Mebuki had their measurements she asked, "Do you have anything in mind already Uzumaki-sama?" Cole tilted his head and for a moment and thought. "How about something black and grey for me, and a pale blue and white for Naru-chan here." Mebuki simply nodded and said, "Good choice Uzumaki-sama, I'll go see what I have." Once she turned around she saw Sakura starring and hissed at her daughter, "Sakura! Don't stare at the customers!" Cole chuckled and smiled at the young girl who quietly blushed and obeyed her mother.
After a couple of hours the father and son duo had a new set of Kimono's and were on their way home to change and prepare for the dinner.
. . . .
Cole and his son stood before the gates to the Hyuuga compound. "Alright," Cole thought. "Faze two: Get Naruto hitched start!"
. . . .
(A/N) WOHAHAHAHA! TWO CHAPTERS ONE DAY! What will happen in the next chapter? (IF you haven't already guessed)
What will be for dinner? What will Hiashi and Cole speak about? Find out next time!
As always, I'll see ya next time!